WATCH: New network of 200ft high electricity pylons would be 'a tragedy' for Scottish Borders countryside
Last updated 21st Mar 2025
He moved to the Tweed Valley for the unspoilt views and rolling countryside, only to discover plans to build some of the country's tallest electricity pylons on his doorstep.
David West, who lives at Thornilee, near Galashiels, is urging Scottish Power Energy Networks to rethink the route of its proposed Cross Border Connection, ahead of a fresh round of public consultation getting underway next week.
He told Greatest Hits Radio: "People visit because of the spectacular scenery, the peacefulness of it; and to have these huge 200-foot high pylons, a big string of them - all the way through this beautiful countryside - is just a tragedy.
"There is an existing power line that runs on the other side of Galashiels, so they could look at upgrading that. There are also potential options to put some of this underground, particularly in areas where it's going to have the most visual impact."
WATCH: Click on the link below to hear more of our interview...
If approved, the so-called super-pylons could traverse the Southern Upland Way, near Minch Moor.
The newly-formed Action Against Pylons: Scottish Borders Alliance believes the 50-mile development will cause irreparable damage to the Borders countryside, forever.
And more than 1,400 people have signed an online petition opposing the plans, which aims to connect a planned electricity sub station near Lauder with overhead lines near Carlisle.
The project is designed to both strengthen the electricity network between Scotland and England for increased home-produced renewable energy and connect new proposed onshore windfarms in the Scottish Borders to the network.
Ewan Borthwick, Senior Project Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “The electricity network in Great Britian is aging and will soon no longer be able to provide the resilient and reliant network we need as we move towards and all-electric, green future.
“The Cross Border Connection project is part of the biggest rewiring of the electricity grid since it was first built. Delivering this project will strengthen energy security and help increase the resilience of the electricity network all across the country.”
SP Energy Networks says significant changes have been made to the route in an effort to reduce its impact on communities.
These include housing a section around Craik in commercial forestry, to protect the views around Penchrise Penn and Stobs Camp; while the revised route has also been moved further away from Hermitage Castle.
However, local Conservative MP John Lamont argues the changes don't go far enough. He said: "Some communities would be affected even more under these updated plans, which I'm sorry to say are still unacceptable.
"It's very disappointing that no routes underground have been considered, which was what Borders residents wanted to see.
"In the consultation period that follows, I expect local people will continue to make their voice heard."
The first in a series of drop-in events is set to get underway at Yarrow Feus Hall on Wednesday, March 26th, between 3pm and 7pm; with others to follow at the same times in Kirkhope Parish Hall, Ettrickbridge on Thursday, March 27th; Newcastleton Village Hall on Monday, March 31st; Teviothead Village Hall on Tuesday, April 1st; and Forman Memorial Hall in Roberton on Wednesday, April 2nd.
Thousands of leaflets with freepost feedback forms are also being mailed to homes along the route.
SNP MSP Christine Grahame (pictured above) is adding her opposition to the proposals. She is calling for local energy pricing to reduce bills for those living closest to the line.
“Whilst I completely support our climate change targets, what I object to is building infrastructure where there is no community benefit," Ms Grahame said. "The Cross Border Connection proposals contain nothing positive for the people of the Borders where much of the energy it plans to transport is produced. They are designed purely for meeting energy demands and targets in England.
“The south of Scotland produces four times the electricity it needs – yet it sees no benefit to this. Conversely, we pay more here than we do south of the border – standing charges in London are 41.57p per day for the period January to April this year compared to 64.16p per day in the south of Scotland. This is entirely unjust.
“That’s why I’m supportive of looking at local energy pricing, where energy is cheaper where it is produced. Bringing together energy and planning by devolving energy policy to the Scottish Government would facilitate this and give Scotland the power to reverse the current unfair system which saddles Scots with the highest energy bills in the UK.”
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