Published: April 28, 2010
Shadow Minister joins fight against controversial pylons route

Shadow Secretary of State Greg Clark has today visited the site of the proposed giant electricity pylons which National Grid wants to build to connect Hinkley Point and Avonmouth.

He was in the Burnham-On-Sea area on Wednesday (April 28th), accompanied by MP David Heathcoat-Amory, to campaign against the pylons.

The pair met local farmer Mark Amesbury, whose land the pylons would go across, along with local County Councillor Alan Ham, Chairman of Compton Bishop Parish Council Eddie Farley, and the protest groups fighting the proposals.

Mr Clark was told that the planned route would cause environmental damage to the Somerset Levels.

In a clear reference to the election, Mr Clark claimed that a Conservative government would abolish the "unelected and unaccountable" Independent Planning Commission and the decision should be made democratically.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I am pleased that the man who will make the decision can see the environmental case for himself and the argument for a submarine cable option, or at least putting the cables underground."

Pictured are David Heathcoat-Amory with Shadow Minister Greg Clark at the site of the proposed giant pylons near Burnham-On-Sea on Wednesday