EXCLUSIVE by Mike Laycock

The Archbishop of York today called for a rethink on proposals for a power line across the North Yorkshire countryside.

Speaking publicly for the first time on the controversial pylons issue, Dr David Hope expressed deep concern about the disfigurement which the line would cause to the Vale of York.

And the Bishop of Selby, the Right Reverend Humphrey Taylor, has spoken of how the 50-mile power line might help bring about the demise of the Selby Coalfield, with all the economic and social misery that that would cause.

The Archbishop told the Evening Press that those responsible for the plans should look again at putting the cables underground - even if it would initially be more expensive.

Dr Hope, who regularly sees the Vale of York countrysidewhen he goes walking or drives around his diocese, says there are already enough pylons disfiguring the landscape.

He said he planned to write with his concerns and suggestions to the relevant authorities. "A close and serious rethink ought to be given to alternative views," he said.

He said putting the lines underground might be more expensive to begin with but the impact would be considerably less.

The Bishop of Selby, writing in the diocesan magazine SeeN, says: "No wonder that the plan to run another line of large pylons across the Vale excites opposition from those who love it.

"Insult seems to be added to injury when one realises that the purpose of this line is to connect into the national grid one of the gas-fired power stations that threaten the future of coal-fired generating at Drax and so also the future of the Selby Coalfield which supplies it."

He said pit closures had brought economic and social misery to communities to the south and west of Selby, and added: "There is a lot of pastoral work to be done among people facing the possibility of losing their livelihood if Selby pits are closed."

National Grid's plan involves a line of 180-foot pylons stretching from Wilton power station at Lackenby in Cleveland to Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York.

The Government approved the £200 million scheme in March despite widespread opposition, but protest group REVOLT (Rural England Versus Overhead Line Transmissions) has pledged cash support for a judicial review to overturn the Environment Secretary's decision.

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