Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 5:00pm

Pylons row: People must be heeded

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Plans by Eirgrid to put high-power lines and pylons across the east Cavan landscape as part of its Meath-Tyrone interconnector project have sparked emotions with landowners, families, businesses and politicians in that part of the county. This is perhaps one of the most contentious developments to be proposed for the county for some time, and one of the more important ones.

Power to the modern home is much like water, when it fails or it isn't there, the home or business can't function. And this is a necessary development. But An Bord Pleanála, the local authority and Eirgrid need to listen to the residents in the areas affected by these proposed pylons. Irrespective of cost, the power lines should be put underground. Eirgrid says that to do so would increase the cost of the project several fold and pose ongoing problems for maintenance, repairs and upgrade works.

Maybe so but the cost of putting the lines and pylons overground, across the picturesque east Cavan landscape, is potentially far greater. And the people of the area have a right for their views to be heard, and taken on board.

Certainly the pylons would affect property values in the area, and dramatically reduce the appeal for anybody looking to buy property in the area. The pylons would seriously damage the landscape. There is no evidence to suggest that the power lines will have an adverse effect on the health of those living adjacent to the pylons. But that's not good enough - certainly not if you have a young family to care for.

The fact of the matter is that such high-power lines, and similar infrastructure like mobile phone masts, have not been around long enough to determine if there will be any long-term health implications for people living in close proximity to such structures. It's not worth taking the chance.

And it's tough on landowners and farmers who may be forced to allow pylons on their land to facilitate this infrastructure. They have the value of their land and the wellbeing of their livestock, not to mention their families, to consider.

If people's concerns aren't listened to and properly addressed, regardless of the An Bord Pleanála decision, this matter could turn nasty. Farmers have already put padlocks on their gates and erected 'Eirgrid Out' signs. This situation has the potential to escalate to something seen in the west of Ireland with the Shell to Sea campaign. If there is a cost implication for putting the lines underground, this could be spread out over a number of years. Surely that is a better option for all concerned and to ensure the progression of this vital infrastructure.