PEOPLE are being urged to take the final opportunity to question National Grid before the announcement of a 400kv hub site and pylon route.
Glyn Davies MP has urged anyone with an interest in hub or pylon related issues to attend the meeting, which will take place tonight (Friday, January 27, at 6.30pm) at Newtown Baptist Church.
The energy company is expected to confirm its preferred site and route next month and this will provide the final public forum to put questions over the proposals.
Mr Davies said: “Tonight is the chance for people to come along and ask National Grid about their proposals before they decide on what final line they will present to us at the end of the month.
“I hope a good crowd comes but people need to remember it’s no good asking questions after the meeting, this is their chance to find out how we might be affected.”
However, Mr Davies stressed that the meeting is not intended to be a protest event and urged people to put forward constructive questions.
He said: “It’s not a protest meeting but I do want anyone who has questions about their proposals to come along and ask them.”
He added: “I have always recognised that National Grid are in a difficult position. They have a statutory requirement to connect wind farms to the grid. What they are proposing is going to be wholly unacceptable no matter what it is and our argument needs to be directed at Westminster, our argument is with politicians.”
Anti windfarm campaigner Richard Bonfield also urged people to do their utmost to attend the meeting.
He said: “Everyone will be affected by the windfarm and sub station proposals from Industry (10 years traffic delays with abnormal loads) to people trying to get on with their personal lives and living through a living hell whilst construction takes place over the next decade. Public opinion in the UK is moving rapidly from this type of renewable energy as most respected commentators have now exposed onshore wind as the biggest con this country is facing and will cost the UK billions of which we all will pay through our increased energy bills.”
He added: “While National Grid are not part of the above policy but carrying out their legal obligations - we need a large turnout to demonstrate that whatever option they eventually come up with - we will be demanding that Powys County Council refuse planning to ensure a Public Enquiry.”