National Grid (NG) has recently notified the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) of its intention to refurbish parts of the high voltage line in the Upper Don Valley, east of Dunford Bridge. Contrary to its statutory duties NG has failed in any meaningful way to consult with either the local community or amenity groups on its plans. We believe that this is a serious omission and lost opportunity.

NG's plans to renew cabling through the Dunford-Woodhead railway tunnels offer an important chance for extra undergrounding to reduce the impact of its overhead transmission lines on a sensitive landscape. This leaflet shows the use of 'surface troughing' - an established undergrounding solution - could bring substantial amenity and landscape benefits. (You can download the leaflet if you wish - Adobe pdf document) The Planning Committee of the PDNPA will be considering NG's proposals on July 13th and we shall be placing our new vision before them too.

PLEASE HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE - every extra letter or email will count!

If you believe that NG should fulfil its statutory consultative and National Park duties, please write before July 13th to Mr. Bob Bryan, Head of Development control, PDNPA, Aldern House, Baslow Rod, Bakewell, DE45 1AE or fax him on 01629 816310 or email bob.bryan@peakdistrict.gov.uk. You can also write to Mr. Narendra Bajaria, Chair of the Planning Committee (at the same address and fax) or email narendra.bajaria@peakdistrict.gov.uk.

Upper Don Valley Campaign UPDATE:

Together with PLACE, a national alliance of artists concerned at preserving wilderness experiences, we have been lobbying to reduce the landscape impact of electricity pylons in the Upper Don Valley (Dunford Bridge) and Longdendale. At July’s National Park Authority Planning Committee meeting, we put forward simple proposals that would drastically improve the landscape of the Park (Thurlstone Moors) and the amenity of the village of Dunford Bridge. We were also concerned that National Grid’s refurbishment plans for the line would prevent the re-use of the Woodhead tunnels for future rail-based solutions to the Peak District’s trans Pennine transport problems.

As a result of our joint efforts with PLACE, the National Park Authority has now taken a much stronger line in calling on regional and national government to take the lead in finding a sustainable solution to this complex problem. Authority members, echoing our concerns were also strongly critical of the lack of meaningful consultation undertaken by National Grid in the past year. Although ruling out any short term removal of pylons, National Grid have now promised a major review of the transmission line’s future (especially in the Longdendale Valley) with full consultation from the earliest stages.

This strong result would not have been possible without PLACE’s strong visuals input and strong representations from Dunford Parish Council, local residents and many CPRE supporters & Friends of the Peak District. Thanks for your help – we did make a difference!