An ESB plan to build a 65-mile stretch of pylons and poles along the scenic north-west coast of Donegal is facing opposition from locals.
A group called Alternatives To Pylons (ATP) has been formed to oppose the plan, which was given the go-ahead by Donegal County Council. It has similar objectives to the Cork anti-pylon group, with which it is in contact. Both ATP and An Taisce have lodged objections to the construction with An Bord Pleanala, which is being asked to hold an oral hearing on the scheme.
The new loop line, carrying 110 kilovolts of electricity, will involve erecting 470 wood poles 18 metres high and 80 metal pylons of 12 metres in a line from near Killybegs, through Glenties and Dungloe, to Letterkenny.
According to an ESB spokesman, this is necessary to guarantee an adequate and continuous supply to homes and industry in west Donegal. He said a loop line was necessary so that if there was an interruption in supply from one direction, current could be sent the other way.
"The whole idea is to put Donegal on an even playing field with regard to electricity supply," he said. He added that in general the new line was welcomed by the people along its proposed route.
This is disputed by the ATP group, which was formed in February last year. According to its spokeswoman, hundreds of objections had been lodged to the ESB's application for planning permission, but this went through nonetheless. The ESB spokesman confirmed that its planning applications were usually successful.
The grounds of the objections included scenic impact, negative health implications, environmental impact and devaluation of property, the ATP spokeswoman said. Following the granting of the permission, they had lodged a number of appeals with An Bord Pleanala, as had An Taisce.
"We are now awaiting an opportunity to make submissions on the environmental impact survey the ESB carried out," she said.
She stressed that the group was not opposed to upgrading the electricity network in northwest Donegal, but objected to overhead lines. The group favoured an underground line, which could follow the route of a disused railway, she said.
According to the ESB spokesman, an underground line would be expensive and inefficient.
"We would have to build, not just a trench but a road, to bring in the equipment for this cable, which is very heavy, and maintain that road in order to service the cable," he said. "A 65-mile road would send costs spiralling and would have high environmental costs.
"Also, underground faults can be difficult to find and repair. You have to dig in a number of places, and the joints are extremely complicated. A fault on an overhead line can be found quite easily. The average time to repair it is between six and 36 hours. While repairing the lines you can't have supply."
He also dismissed the health concerns of the group, citing recent studies. And the line would have no adverse visual impact, he said.
"The EIS we carried out included landscape consultants. Wood poles have been part of the landscape since 1946. This loop line is miles from Glenveagh national park, and five miles from Errigal.
"The lines have to be built at a reasonable cost to keep prices down for the customer. We have cheap electricity here. But the main reason we're not going underground is that it would mean a sub-standard service." He said that following the old railway line was not an option because it did not follow the necessary route.
"I don't believe there is widespread opposition to the line," he added.
Nonetheless, the ATP group has assembled an impressive list of artistic supporters. Next Sunday evening it is holding a fund-raising concert headlined by Clannad's Maire Brennan, Mairead ni Mhaonaigh and Dermot Byrne of Altan, and hosted by Donegal poet Cathal O Searcaigh. It will take place in Ostan Loch Altan, Gortahork, at 8 p.m. and its organiser can be contacted at 074-35640.