S. U. P.

Bury the lines before they bury you.

Powerlines through Sligo, New positive action group formed:

'Support Underground Powerlines'

The Roscommon group A.M.P. {Against More Pylons} came to Loftus Hall. Ballymote on Monday the 18th Sept, and gave a presentation and slide show on the proposed Flagford-Srannagh 220/110 Kv Powerline Project.

The meeting was well attended with about sixty people, including Mr John Perry T.D, and counsellors Eamon Scanlon and Alfie Parkes.

The AMP spokesperson Mr Roy Henry gave an excellent presentation and illustrated many points of concern for local communities, landowners, business's.

Issues such as Health, environment, compensation, 'consultation' and future boosting of the line were covered.

It is accepted that there is a need to upgrade the grid, not only for development of the region, but to form part of a nation 'ring main'. The upgraded system would also be useful should the Sligo / Mayo / Donegal region, start to develop power from renewable sources such as wind and wave. The area has the potential to be clean energy exporter, a potentially very valuable asset.

After the AMP presentation, it was decided that a Sligo body should be formed to examine the proposal, and its implications for the people of Sligo present and future. A group of committee officers was elected from those present under Chairmanship of Mr Neil Henry from Ballymote.

That group are presenting their proposals at an important meeting to be held in Loftus Hall, Ballymote, Monday 2nd October at {9 PM} They will be championing what they and many in the scientific community believe to be safest and best way forward namely the adoption of the underground solution. It should not be huge problem to lay the powerlines from Carrick to Sligo along the N4, if the N4 was upgraded to motorway status as already proposed, a 'utilities corridor' could easily be laid up the central reservation solving all the problems in one integrated forward thinking and sensible step. This is the option favoured in Sweden and America, and must be the option adopted for this powerline if we don't want to be lumbered 1970's 'solution' for a 21st century challenge and be regretting it forever more.

The Support Underground Powerlines group will be launching a petition at their meeting on Monday 2nd and urge all those not wanting to be living with 63 Kilometres of Steel Tower, Cancer causing, ugly monstrosities blighting our unique and lovely landscape to show solidarity with our constructive proposal and to come along and hear what we've learnt and hopefully sign the petition to put the lines underground.

Attention Paul Deering, Sligo Champion, Toby Hall, PRO-SUP