Rethink Pylons campaign gathers momentum ahead of public submissions deadline

The deadline for public submissions for Eirgrid’s Gridlink project expires tomorrow yet opposition to plans to erect huge pylons in the south of the country remains fierce. The Gridlink project, which would result in the erection of a series of monstrously large pylons (as high as 60 metres tall in some places, that’s the same size as the Spire) to suspend power lines over hundreds of kilometres from Wexford to Cork, has attracted plenty of opposition ever since plans for the project were revealed, with widespread media coverage of campaigns opposing it in the run up to the deadline this week. The opposition to the Gridlink project covers a wide range of criticisms, from the lack of an independent cost/benefit calculation of the proposed project to the devaluation of properties and land, the damage to tourism and the destruction of the Irish countryside. Eirgrid also haven’t been very forthcoming in their consultation process with the local communities affected, something illustrated by the presence of hundreds of people in terrible conditions for a protest at Vinegar Hill in Wexford yesterday when those in attendance highlighted their vehement opposition to the erection of pylons and wind turbines. The project has also become a political issue, with the Government recently announcing that a decision on whether or not to go ahead with it will be postponed until after local elections have taken place this summer. The Rethink Pylons movement are urging people to oppose the project and to make their voices heard before tomorrow’s deadline by logging on to rethinkpylons.org and making a submission. For more information on the Rethink Pylons campaign and their opposition to the Eirgrid project you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.