The walk will take place over Black Combe
A conservation charity will lead a walk over a Lake District fell to highlight its opposition to a planned major power line.
Friends of the Lake District and pressure group Power Without Pylons are inviting walkers to the St George’s Day event on Black Combe to view the area that will be affected by the proposed construction.
National Grid wants to run the line from a new power station near Sellafield to Heysham in the South and Carlisle in the North.
A Friends spokesperson said: “The walk over Black Combe affords stunning views towards the sea and Lake District peaks.
“It also serves as an ideal vantage point for viewing the path and the potential impact of the proposed route of the 50m pylons National Grid plans to erect to connect the proposed Moorside nuclear power station to the UK electricity grid.
“Participants will get plenty of opportunities to talk with people from Friends of the Lake District and Power without Pylons about how the pylon proposals could blight this amazing area and learn a little more about alternative solutions that are available for transporting power.
“Friends of the Lake District hopes that this event will raise public awareness of the threat and put pressure on National Grid to begin a dialogue about underground mitigation for the line installation across 24km of the western Lake District. Its campaign, Say no to Pylons in the Lake District has gained national support and continues to gather momentum.”
Existing pylons in the Whicham Valley near Black Combe. Photo: Friends of the Lake District
The 15km (9-mile) walk takes place on Saturday 23 April, at 10.30am, setting out from Silecroft. The Friends said shorter 9km and 3.5km walks will also be available, each offering views of the potential siting of the pylons proposed by National Grid.
Kate Willshaw, policy officer at Friends of the Lake District, said: “This is not a case of preventing infrastructure development going ahead. There is an opportunity for everybody to benefit if we can persuade Government and National Grid that they can achieve the connection of the power station without compromising the natural beauty of the Lake District.
“National Grid is not responding to pressure to mitigate for the damage pylons and powerlines will cause to this internationally important landscape, especially in light of its status as a candidate World Heritage Site.”
Anyone wanting to join the walk is asked to book a place by emailing Ms Willshaw or by phoning 01539 720 788.
