Anglesey resident fears National Grid plan will leave home 'sandwiched in-between pylons'

Angry residents have organised a public meeting over fears they will be “sandwiched” between two rows of pylons just yards from their front doors.

Campaigners on Anglesey have for years been fighting the National Grid’s proposals for a new line of overhead pylons to connect the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant, as well as other energy schemes.

Now after accusing the Grid of “not listening to their concerns”, villagers are to hold a public event to express their dissatisfaction.

Cheryl Weaver, who moved to Capel Coch near Llangefni three years ago, said while there is already a line of pylons running through the village, the proposals would mean another set being built on the other side, effectively boxing them in.

“The National Grid plans mean our home will be sandwiched in-between two pylons, with one set of cables carrying 400,000 volts of electricity,” she said.

“We will be trapped in the middle of a magnetic field, devastating our village and the island as a whole. They’ll look atrocious.

“It’ll also affect homes, people’s health and tourism on Anglesey. We want to see them buried underground”

Having carried out more than one consultation, the grid is steadfast in its plans.

This is despite the vast majority of the island’s community councils, the AM and MP as well as all 30 county councillors, all calling for the cables to be placed underground .

But according to the National Grid, this would incurr additional costs of around £500m, cash they say would have to come from household energy bills.

The grid has, however, pledged to avoid pylons across the picturesque Menai Strait, planning a £100m tunnel under the Menai Strait.

Talks are ongoing with the Welsh Government, however, which could see the cash go towards a third bridge across the Menai which would also incorporate the cables.

According to Mrs Weaver, however, this isn’t anywhere near enough.

She added: “We’ve formed a group called “Anglesey Says No To Pylons” and on Tuesday night we’re holding a meeting to raise awareness to the destruction and devastation the pylons would cause.

“We also plan to base ourselves near polling stations on the day of the council elections on Thursday, May 4, with petitions for the public to sign.”

Fellow campaigner, Dave Neal, from Talwrn, added: “Irrespective of what the Grid may say, we don’t believe the voice of the community is really being heard at all.”

The public meeting will be held at Tre Ysgawen Hall, Capel Coch, on Tuesday, April 25, at 7pm.

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