The Pylon Alternative Alliance (PAA), a campaign group representing up to 40 community groups across 9 counties affected by EirGrid’s Gridlink Group, this week emphasised that high voltage overhead pylons are still EirGrid’s preferred option for the GridLink route.

Describing the state company’s granting of a two week extension to its public consultation on the new Draft Grid Development Strategy as a ‘derogatory and farcical response’ to public consultation, PAA is now urging residents along the proposed routes to make their submissions and objections to EirGrid ahead of the new Friday June 5th deadline.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, PAA chairman Kieran Connors said: "EirGrid are simply adding insult to injury with this unacceptable two week extension. However we are where we are and we are now urging residents to make a submission as quickly as possible before the June 5 deadline."

IMPRESSION

Mr Connors said that many residents were under the impression that the issue had been sorted but claims 'it certainly is not'.

“EirGrid have provided three options – overhead, underground and using the existing network, but - and this is the key point, their preferred route is still the 400kV high voltage overhead pylon route. We are appealing to residents to make their submissions and objections known before the public consultation deadline of Friday, June 5.”

Those eager to make a submission can log on to http://www.eiropinion.org/#templates.html where they can access a template or they can write up their own submission and email it to yourgridyourviews@eirgrid.com or mail a hard copy to YourGrid YourViews, Eirgrid, The Oval, 160 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4.

“The eight week public consultation and submission time-frame is simply ludicrous when you consider the technical detail contained in EirGrid’s 200 page draft development document. This totally unrealistic time-frame is stifling inquiry. Following our repeated requests for a reasonable and meaningful time-frame, at the last hour they granted just two weeks. The public consultation deadline is totally unrealistic for creating meaningful and effective engagement," Mr Connors said.

“EirGrid’s Draft Grid Development Strategy titled: ‘Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow’, sets out three route development options for the GridLink route: EirGrid’s preferred 400 kV overhead pylons, an underground solution costing €800million compared to €500million for overhead, and an overhead solution using the existing pylon infrastructure costing €200 million.”

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