THE route controversial power lines will take from west Cumbria to Lancashire has been revealed as part of a detailed plan released today by National Grid chiefs.
Underground cables, 50 metre-high pylons and a tunnel under Morecambe Bay form part of the revised plans, along with a project to remove overhead cables near Hadrian's Wall.
In a document which reveals the full extent of a £2.8bn Cumbrian infrastructure project, it was revealed engineers will take cables underground through the entire western section of the Lake District.
A proposal has been made to run 13 miles of cable underneath Morecambe Bay, avoiding the South Lakes entirely.
There will be roughly 73 miles of overhead cables installed throughout Cumbria starting in 2019, running on fewer, taller pylons.
The 400kV lines standing 50m tall will pass through southern Copeland and into Furness, passing communities in Ireleth, Lindal, Dalton and Newton.
Engineers will replace the low voltage line in the area around the Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, with underground cables.
The high-voltage lines will run to a power station at Roosecote, in Barrow, where they will divert underground across Morecambe Bay.
Out of the proposed 102 miles of new connections, around 27 miles will be built underground.
Read about the united front local people put up in the run up to these proposals:
Councillors speak out against pylons
Community groups get the support of their local representatives against pylon plans
Peaceful protesters call for rethink on nuclear scheme
Douglas Chalmers, Friends of the Lake District chief executive was pleased that the Lakes would be pylon-free.
He said: "We have fought a long and well-supported campaign to stop these giant pylons being built within the Lake District National Park and we’re delighted that the stunning landscape within the park has been spared from a line of 50-metre tall pylons."
Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: "Connecting Moorside to the grid is hugely important, and I welcome the investment in energy infrastructure in Cumbria that this project will bring, but these latest plans still have serious issues that need to be resolved. It is not acceptable that National Grid still plan to use giant 50m pylons down the Furness peninsula, putting at risk the scenic beauty of the natural landscape.
"The cables should go underground or offshore otherwise the project will never gain local support. The Duddon valley is wonderful and deserves the same respect afforded to the Lake District lobby. It would show scandalous bias if the government caves in to the luvvie Friends of the Lakes but will not accept this reasonable proposal to underground cables so the Duddon's beauty is not destroyed."
“After three postponements, the company is opening consultation again and it is important that we make our voices heard. I will be holding a public meeting in Broughton on Friday night and will continue to work with community groups to get the best deal for Furness.”
Mayor of Millom, Doug Wilson wants to now speak to his constituents to find out their views. He said: "I'm not for or against pylons in principle but I will take any information on that is forthcoming. I will listen to the people of Millom telling me what they think."
National Grid will begin a 10-week consultation on the project, running from October 28 to January 6 2017.
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