Farron lobbies for cables under Morecambe Bay ahead of consultation

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has stepped up his calls for National Grid to link Moorside power station to Heysham via a tunnel under Morecambe Bay, rather than follow a route over land which cuts through the South Lakes.

Having been briefed on all the options to be presented to the public in September, Tim has made clear his desire for the Grid to follow this course of action in order to minimise the environmental impact of the project and protect the precious landscape of the Lake District National Park.

National Grid are currently exploring two broad 'strategic options', evaluating offshore routes through the Irish sea or across Morecambe Bay against a corridor through the South Lake District, which would see pylons running through the park's iconic scenery.

Tim has fought extremely hard to protect the South Lakes throughout this process, and is now calling on local people to join him in backing proposals for a tunnel when the Grid's second phase of consultation begins later this year.

Commenting, Tim said "I'm delighted that National Grid are taking the time to fully explore all the options on the table, and have displayed such willingness to incorporate the views of local people in this process.

"When the consultation document is released in September we will be able to properly analyse the pros and cons of all the potential scenarios, and I am determined that we speak with one voice in telling National Grid that new pylons and cables running through the South Lakes would cause substantial and irreparable damage to our beloved countryside.

"The inclusion of the plans for a tunnel should receive our full support, and this year's consultation represents a massive chance to secure the best possible outcome by calling for powerlines running under Morecambe Bay"