Pylon firm backs off from confrontation

Initial surveying work had been due to start yesterday afternoon at Home Farm, near Huby, as National Grid continues construction of a line of pylons across the Vale of York from Teesside to Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

The Evening Press reported last week how Mrs Craven, of Home Farm, had written to National Grid to challenge its contractor Balfour Beatty's legal rights to gain access to her land.

She said she had not given permission to enter the farm, and reserved the right to sue if any access was gained which turned out to be illegal.

National Grid insisted then that both it and its contractors had the right of reasonable access to construct the line.

A Grid spokesman said today that it had received another letter from Mrs Craven at the end of last week, refusing access to her land.

It had therefore been decided not to attempt to gain access yesterday.

He said her letter was being considered carefully, and National Grid's legal advisers would be writing to her.

Asked if Mrs Craven would be threatened with an injunction, he said it was too early to say what the legal advisers would write.

Mrs Craven was away yesterday, but two farmers who rent land where the three pylons are planned turned up to "discuss" the matter with National Grid and its contractors Balfour Beatty.

Tony Woodliffe was joined by Chris Lumley at the gate to a field where the first pylon is due to go.

Mr Woodliffe said the construction work would cause disruption to his work, and he did not like the way National Grid had approached the matter. He said he was planning to attempt to persuade the contractors not to come on the land, but stressed that he would not attempt to block access to the field.

The farmers subsequently discovered, through an answerphone message left on Mr Lumley's phone, that National Grid had delayed visiting the farm while it considered Mrs Craven's letter.

Updated: 11:37 Tuesday, July 30, 2002