A CAMPAIGN to block a series of pylons from blighting the skyline of the national park has received further support this weekend. 

Scores of people turned out to take part in a special walk on St George's Day to highlight the impact a network of 50m high pylons would have on Cumbria's landmark scenery. 

Power without Pylons joined forces with Friends of the Lake District to organise a walk up Black Combe to raise awareness about National Grid's ongoing plans to connect power generated from Moorside to the Grid. 


Graham Pitts, from Power without Pylons, thought the event was a great success and said: "It was a nice, fun day. 

"People could see lots of pylons; somebody told me they counted 26 pylons on the walk."

Around 80 people from across south Cumbria headed to the event to find out a little more about how the pylons would affect different areas of the Lake District. 

With people travelling from as far as Kendal, Mr Pitts is hopeful that the event has helped to drum up even more support. 

He said: "It was useful because people from further away got the opportunity to chat with local people to see what they thought about it. 

"The people that came were surprised about the amount of posters they saw on their journey and a lot of people said they would take them back to Ulverston, Barrow and even as far as Kendal and beyond."

Campaigners have high hopes for the area after hearing that National Grid intends to postpone the next stage of its consultation until later this year. 

Mr Pitts said: "We're happy because it looks like they are having a think about things. We hope they are considering more thoroughly about what they are going to do."

The group has also received the support of another staunch opposer, John Woodcock, who is determined to do what he can to help preserve the natural beauty of the area. 

The Barrow and Furness MP met with Mr Pitts on Friday and pledged his support to the group.

He said: “It was great to meet Graham from the Power without Pylons group who are doing great work bringing together the arguments about new pylons being pushed through in the beautiful Duddon Valley area. 

"I have long opposed this plan and am looking forward to working alongside Power without Pylons. I would urge all residents who live in the proposed corridor to record their opposition when the public consultation commences later this year.”

Mr Pitts was grateful for the support and hopes to work together with Mr Woodcock to secure a positive result. 

He said: "Mr Woodcock is supportive of us in terms of the fact that he agrees that pylons in the estuary are not a good idea. 

"He is hoping to come up with an approach that will be more beneficial to everyone. He is approaching National Grid and will ask them for an update and we will be working closely with him on that."