TOWN councillors have pledged their support to community groups and parish councils who are fighting against plans to build pylons along the Cumbrian coast.

Millom Town Councillors met on Wednesday evening and discussed plans proposed by National Grid to build a network of pylons that will be used to connect power generated from Moorside to the Grid.

Councillor Ged McGrath raised the issue which was met with support by many of the councillors.

He said: "I went to the meeting at The Green last Monday where all the parish council around the Duddon Estuary got together and said that they felt the Duddon should be treated the same as Morecambe Bay.

"If they can carry cables under Morecambe Bay they can do it under the Duddon.

"However, there is a downside in that if they cross the Duddon the pylons could be even closer to Millom."

Many of the councillors agreed with Cllr McGrath in saying the Duddon and the whole of the county should be protected.

Councillor Bob Kelly, Millom Town Council for Newtown ward, said: "It's not just the Duddon we should be protecting, it's all round the coast.

"We havebeen blessed that we are not getting these pylons here but that doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility for the rest of the county.

"We will have to rely on a lot of tourism in the future and this will have an adverse effect for Millom."

Councillor Tony Gilmore, Millom Town Councillor for Holborn Hill ward, said: "I think the whole project with Moorside is important for this town but we should oppose these pylons because they will be a scar on our beautiful valley."

National Grid is yet to announce final plans for the project and will hold further consultation sessions later this year.

They are continuing to look at various methods to connect the power but have not made any hard and fast decisions on the technologies that will be used.

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What are National Grid's options?

Despite the opposition towards the pylons, the town council is in favour of the Moorside developments but are continuing to fight for more benefits to be brought into Millom.

Cllr Kelly called for clear lines to be drawn on the council's stance towards upcoming development and to continue working to ensure the best deal for the town.

He said: "I think we should make a statement saying that Millom Town council supports parish councils in the area who are fighting against the pylons, that we are in favour of the project as a whole and that we need to fight to get a substation for Millom and some assurance that we will have adequate power supply for future developments in Millom."

How do you think National Grid should connect to Moorside? Are you in favour of Moorside? Have you say here.