No More Pylons

I was in Dalmally this morning in my role as the local MSP for Argyll & Bute meeting  local residents who are opposed to plans by SSE for a high voltage transmission line on pylons through the village and through some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery.

The village is no stranger to the issue.  It already has a high voltage line running through it, which I blipped six years ago.  It has been there since the Cruanchan Power Station was established and everyone accepts that this electricity is needed and that Argyll is fortunate in being able to export it.

The new line will allow much more renewable energy to flow to other parts of Scotland but there is a virtually unanimous view that , no matter how important that is, the actual line must be put underground or under the loch.   It should  not further disfigure the landscape nor surround houses and indeed whole communities.   

Local people are also unimpressed with the consultation by SSE to date.  Some have found out that their fields are to have pylons in them only when they saw a mock up at an event in the village hall.   Others have still not been contacted and although there has been widespread concern since the idea was first mooted two years ago there has been far too little firm information and far too little explanation of the options.

Although the meeting had to be held at 10.00 am because of other commitments I had today this group is only part of the total turn out.   I have no doubt that the feeling against the current proposals is virtually unanimous and I therefore hope that  SSE will recognise that proceeding without significant change  isn't an option