- 20/05/2011
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
May 20 2011
WALES’ new environment minister will meet Labour regional Assembly Members next week to discuss the controversial plans for a massive energy infrastructure project in north Powys.
Mid and West Wales AMs Joyce Watson and Rebecca Evans will meet the Minister on Tuesday, the same day that campaigners fighting plans which could see hundreds of pylons being built in mid Wales, will complete a 100 mile ‘march on Cardiff’ to lobby the Welsh Assembly over the proposals.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Joyce Watson, who last month met campaigners in Abermule, one of the proposed sites for a 19-acre electricity substation, said:
“At the public meeting in Abermule Primary School, I listened to the concerns of Head teacher Terry Wain, campaign organiser Tony Caplin, and Abermule residents, and I promised to relate their views to the Welsh Government. I hope to meet campaigners immediately after our meeting with the Minister to provide them with an update.
“This is a huge issue for the whole region and it is important that the new Welsh Government listens to the views of people on all sides of the debate.
Rebecca Evans added:
“I am very aware of the strength of feeling.
“After only a couple of weeks as an Assembly Member I have already received a very high number of representations on this issue from people living in mid Wales. I look forward to meeting with constituents on Tuesday to further listen to their views and concerns.”
National Grid is proposing a route to carry a 400,000-volt cable, using 46m high pylons or by routing the wires underground.
The plans would also include building a substation at either Abermule, near Newtown, or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.
Under the proposals the electricity substation and pylons are intended to serve between 600 and 800 wind turbines.
ENDS
