Underground, Overground...

Overhead lines, whether for electricity or telephones, can be very intrusive in the countryside. For many, they simply spoil the view. Over the past four decades however, significant progress has been made towards safeguarding rural vistas through the joint efforts of the former electricity boards and local planning authorities, both when replacing old lines and providing for new development. Numerous Peak District villages, such as Ashford-in-the-Water, Bradwell, Calver, Chelmorton, Curbar, Foolow, Monyash, Parwich and Winster have been transformed by pro-active undergrounding schemes which have enhanced their unspoilt character and charm.

But much remains to be done and there is a feeling that, in the post-privatisation world, concerns about the visual impact of overhead lines have fallen off the electricity companies’ and British Telecom's (BT) mainstream agenda. However valiant work by a number of environmental groups, spearheaded by Friends of the Lake District, has ensured that the issue has been put back in the spotlight. Friends of the Peak District are part of this push and are now seeking further undergrounding of intrusive wires which still scar some beautiful prospects in the Peak.

The work, part of our 'Positive Energy' campaign, operates on two levels. National lobbying of the Government regulator (OFGEM) has already produced a modest new environmental allowance that electricity companies can claim, if they underground more lines in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). We now need to ensure this active collaboration with regional electricity companies, such as Central Networks East (CNE) and Yorkshire Electricity, effectively targets the worst stretches of line that need tackling.

CNE is already showing its commitment in this area with a major project to underground a long stretch of line adjacent to the A619 from Chesterfield to Baslow, an important gateway route into the National Park. Part of CNE's ongoing capital investment programme, this work will open up superb, unencumbered views of the magnificent heather moors east of Chatsworth.
Dialogue with CNE over this project (which the Friends of the Peak District supported through its planning hurdles) should now lead to active collaboration, together with the National Park Authority, over how best to spend the £2 million or so allocated to the company for additional undergrounding. We are keen to progress this rapidly and plan to undertake an environmental impact survey to identify the most intrusive lines. Friends' assistance in this is vital and we would particularly welcome hearing of intrusive lines that spoil any of your favourite views!

We shouldn't also lose sight of the fact that telephone lines can be just as intrusive and we should ensure that both the environmental responsibilities in telecommunications legislation and statutory duties to respect National Parks are given more than just lip service by British Telecom. Again, in the past, BT collaborated on the Peak village undergrounding schemes, and encouraging their involvement in any future National Park and AONB schemes must be seen as an important priority.

If you have any suggestions of local landscapes that would be much improved by undergrounding of currently unsightly overhead wires, or would like to help conduct volunteer surveys in your area, please contact Andy Tickle at the Friends of the Peak District office.

Site of interest: www.p-l-a-c-e.org ( PLACE produces artworks, exhibitions, papers for publication, and raises issues surrounding art, society, architecture, infrastructure and the environment.)

Picture top left: Overhead wires at East Moor