Pylons running rampant across some of the UK's most beautiful scenery, making profits on the back of nearby residents' suffering
30th September 2011
On September 4th 2011, the Sunday Mail reported that Sarah Oliver had received a letter from National Grid offering her Hobson's choice as to where to put their new pylons. It felt like they were offering to consult, until the choice was revealed - which side of the house did she want the unlovely 164 ft high 400 kV pylons with their attendant health risks placed? Undergrounding was not an option in the beautiful area of Suffolk which inspired so many painters.
It is part of a line that will import and export electricity from Ireland and the UK to Europe and beyond. Local residents have to put up with the view and the health risks and others have the benefit of the electricity generated, especially as many of the companies that sell the electricity are no longer based in the UK. A bit like nuclear waste disposal, really; the UK being the dumping ground for other countries hazardous products.
The Suffolk area is not the only place to be affected by National Grid's seven year plan. In the UK, there are planned to be about 450 miles of powerline and over 1,000 new pylons to beautify our green and pleasant land. Childhood leukaemia and other serious illnesses and health problems are associated with living near these monstrosities. Even as recently as Friday 2nd September, a plane flew into a powerline, which had been badly situated with regard to an airfield, causing chaos on the A1, as well as potentially serious injury.
Why can't these powerlines be undergrounded? The cost means that shareholders will have a reduced dividend and they will not be happy. The companies have to maximise profits to pay the shareholders, and those who live nearby and are affected, have no say.
What is a safe distance from a pylon line? " 'Oh, there isn't one,' replied the PR lady for National Grid, according to the Mail. 'We could build right over the top of you if we wanted to. Not that we would, of course,' she added with a smile. Not strictly true, but as long as the line would not be over the dwelling (including garden), there is no minimum distance. it would come down to argument at a wayleave hearing.
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