A LEADING politician is set to join forces with environmental campaigners in a New Year's Day protest walk against a controversial plan to erect 50-metre high pylons across south Cumbria.

In a show of solidarity and support, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock will walk with opposition groups to rally against National Grid's plan to build pylons as high as Barrow Town Hall across the Duddon Valley.

The contentious scheme is part of an initiative to export electricity from a proposed nuclear power station at Moorside, near Sellafield, to Heysham in Lancashire via a tunnel underneath Morecambe Bay.

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The Labour MP shared a platform with 'Power Without Pylons' campaigners at a public meeting in the Victory Hall in Broughton towards the end of October.

It was there that he envisaged plans for a walk on the first day of 2017 and he now hopes that he can use this initiative to encourage people to submit applications against the construction of pylons prior to the deadline on January 6.

Mr Woodcock said: "In more than six years of representing the people of Barrow and Furness, few campaigns I have been involved in have stirred as much passion as this fight to protect the beauty of our landscape from these giant pylons.

"National Grid has said it will listen to the views of local people and we need to demonstrate our strength of feeling ahead of the public consultation closing on January 6."

The march will begin at the bottom of Duddon Road on Askam beach and Broughton square at 9.30am with both contingents set to meet near the cottages by Kirkby railway station. It is envisaged that the two groups will join together in Kirkby at around 11am for a short meeting.

Power Without Pylons campaigner Elaine Essery said: "The momentum is really building, as the January 6 response deadline draws nearer.

"There’s widespread opposition to National Grid’s proposals and we hope the new year’s day walk with John Woodcock will be not only a show of that opposition but also a reminder for those who haven’t already done so to object in writing to National Grid."

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Those taking part are advised that parts of the route will cross boggy and rocky terrain, so waterproof footwear and appropriate clothing are a must.

The Ship Inn in Askewgate Brow, Kirby, will be open for refreshments and a shuttle bus will ferry walkers back to their respective starting places.

Anyone wishing to take part should email john.woodcock.mp@parliament.uk so organisers are prepared for the numbers on the day.

Walkers are also asked to keep an eye on John Woodcock's website and the MP’s Facebook page for weather updates.