Friends of the Lake District and Power Without Pylons are organising a St George’s Day walk over Black Combe to highlight the damaging impact that giant pylons could have on some of England’s most beautiful views.   

The 15km walk takes place on Saturday 23 April, at 10.30am, setting out from Silecroft.  Shorter 9km and 3.5km walks will also be available, each offering views of the potential siting of the pylons proposed by National Grid.

BOOKING is required. Follow the link to BOOK places: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/Event/black-combe-walk 

In light of DEFRA’s recent 8 point plan detailing how it intends to protect, promote and enhance National Parks in England from now until 2020, residents and visitors to the majestic western fringes of the Lake District may have some cause to feel neglected. 

Speaking as she launched the new DEFRA plan in the South Downs National Park recently, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: 

‘By instilling a love of nature in our young people and building thriving communities in every National Park, our plan will allow these unique spaces to flourish for generations to come.’ 

The words will provide little comfort to those whose lives, livelihoods and wellbeing face the very real threat of National Grid proposals to erect 50m pylons to run 400kV cables around the west of Cumbria from Carlisle in the north to Heysham in the south. In the worst-case scenario, it will mean 24km of pylons and overhead lines within the Lake District National Park itself. 

Friends of the Lake District hopes that this event will raise public awareness of the threat and put pressure on National Grid to begin a dialogue about underground mitigation for the line installation across 24km of the western Lake District. Its campaign, ‘Say no to Pylons in the Lake District’ has gained national support and continues to gather momentum. 

The walk over Black Combe affords stunning views towards the sea and Lake District peaks. It also serves as an ideal vantage point for viewing the path and the potential impact of the proposed route of the 50m pylons National Grid plans to erect to connect the proposed Moorside nuclear power station to the UK electricity grid.  

Participants will get plenty of opportunities to talk with people from Friends of the Lake District and Power without Pylons about how the pylon proposals could blight this amazing area and learn a little more about alternative solutions that are available for transporting power. 

Kate Willshaw, Policy Officer at Friends of the Lake District, 

“This is not a case of preventing infrastructure development going ahead. There is an opportunity for everybody to benefit if we can persuade Government and National Grid that they can achieve the connection of the power station without compromising the natural beauty of the Lake District. 

“National Grid is not responding to pressure to mitigate for the damage pylons and powerlines will cause to this internationally important landscape, especially in light of its status as a candidate World Heritage Site.”

The 15km walk takes place on Saturday 23 April, at 10.30am, setting out from Silecroft.  Shorter 9km and 3.5km walks will also be available, each offering views of the potential siting of the pylons proposed by National Grid.  

BOOKING is required. Follow the link to BOOK places: https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/Event/black-combe-walk 

Please email [email protected] or phone 01539 720 788 if you have any further questions. 

More details about the Say No to Pylons in the Lake District Campaign can be found here:

www.saynotopylonsinthelakedistrict.org.uk