PARISH councils across the area have come together in a groundbreaking move to speak out in a united voice against plans to build pylons along the coast of Cumbria.

Twelve parish councils from Seascale to Kirkby and Ireleth have joined forces in an attempt to highlight their concerns about plans to connect power generated from Moorside to the National Grid.

Councillors have been fighting long and hard to protect their beloved environment from plans to build 50-metre high pylons across the landscape and have finally joined together to create a powerful alliance.

In an attempt to hammer home their concerns, the Parish Council Coordination Group has requested a meeting with National Grid bosses.

National Grid has not yet confirmed if representatives will attend a meeting but have said they will respond to the request.

David Savage, chairman of Millom Without Parish Council, is coordinating the group and says the act is a landmark occasion for the area.

He said: “This is one of the most unique steps the parish councils have taken in a very long time.

“We feel that together we will be a much stronger voice to National Grid and we have sent a letter requesting that they sit down with us and discuss how they are going to engage with us."

A spokeswoman for National Grid said: “We have already been in contact with all the parish councils that the North West Coast Connections project touches and we remain committed to listening to their views and the views of people and other key groups as we work to shape our proposals for this vital connection.”

Cllr Savage said: “Undoubtedly this is a difficult job for them to do but that doesn’t mean they can’t do it by talking to people.

“We welcome Moorside being built but there are solutions that can be found if there’s a will to do it but up until now we haven’t seen that willingness.

“We feel that collectively we can be a much stronger voice for our communities.”

Councillor Angela Dixon, deputy mayor of Millom, supports the action and is calling for everyone to stand together.

She said: "We need electricity but we don't need gigantic pylons ruining our beautiful views.

"I support the parish councils and I'm 100 per cent behind them. We have all joined forces and hopefully we will be able to make a difference.

"We're a rural community and there's not many of us so we have to stand together."


Councillor Angela Dixon, deputy mayor of Millom, supports the action and is calling for everyone to stand together.

She said: "We need electricity but we don't need gigantic pylons ruining our beautiful views.

"I support the parish councils and I'm 100 per cent behind them. We have all joined forces and hopefully we will be able to make a difference.

"We're a rural community and there's not many of us so we have to stand together."

Read more:

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Councillors draw battle lines over pylon plans

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