MSP accuses government of 'rolling over' concerning power line
The Scottish Government has been criticised for not taking a stronger stance on protecting the Perthshire countryside from a controversial development.
- By Richard Burdge
- Published in the Courier : 02.08.10
- Published online : 02.08.10 @ 09.16am
MSP Murdo Fraser accused it of having "rolled over to the power companies" in relation to the Beauly to Denny power line decision and for not instructing undergrounding in parts of Perthshire and Stirlingshire.
Mr Fraser wants to see undergrounding as part of the mitigation measures for those areas.
He said, "It is extremely disappointing that the SNP Government is not standing up for Scottish communities in relation to the Beauly to Denny power line decision.
"It is worrying that local groups are now questioning the purpose of the 'mitigation' and whether it was just sham and spin from the SNP Government when making the announcement to go ahead with the line.
"It is only due to groups such as Stirling Before Pylons, the John Muir Trust and Ramblers Scotland that the serious problems that will come with the new Beauly to Denny power line are being exposed."
He added, "The SNP Government needs to get to grips with the Beauly to Denny power line and reconsider planning permission if undergrounding sections is a non-starter.
"Even the reporter of the public inquiry recommended refusal of overhead pylons at sections in Perthshire and Stirlingshire but the government has ignored public opinion by merely proposing 'mitigation' at these locations.
"Sadly for Scotland, the SNP Government has rolled over to the power companies on the decision of the Beauly to Denny power line."
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