Concerns in Rush over UK inter-connector

A PROPOSED electricity inter-connector between Ireland and the UK, which is to come ashore at Rush in north Co Dublin, will pass within six feet of residential bedrooms, it has been claimed.

Eirgrid is finalising an application to Bord Pleanála for permission for the high-voltage line which is to connect to the UK national grid at Deeside in north Wales. It is to come ashore in Ireland at North Beach in Rush, and will run underground to a connection point with the Irish national grid at Woodland, Co Meath.

While the route skirts the towns of Ashbourne and Ratoath, Rush residents are anxious about plans to run it alongside single-storey homes and along residential roads including the town's Main Street.

The proposed route from North Beach is along Kilbush Lane, turning left on to Skerries road, turning right into Main Street, left at the fork on to Channel Road and on to the Estuary.

Local resident Paula Murray claimed locals feared the high-voltage cable would run at a depth of just one metre, and at Kilbush Lane will be within six feet of the sleeping positions of families living in single-storey roadside cottages.

Eirgrid requires the inter-connector to allow Ireland and the UK to buy and sell electricity and meet EU directives on the open market for power generation.

It is also required to help ensure security of supply, and would assist in the development of renewable energy sources.

Eirgrid's application to the planning board, under the critical infrastructure fast-tracking process, is expected within weeks.

Enabling works are scheduled to begin next year pending a successful planning outcome.

However Rush Community Council has already decided to object, and Ms Murray told The Irish Times she expected opposition to the route to be very strong "when people understand what is being planned".

She pointed out that plans for the inter-connector originally considered the Rogerstown Estuary for a landfall site, but this was rejected. "We were told the estuary was rejected because of the conservation status and difficult rocky ground, but, really, we find information and answers very hard to get."

She believes the type of the design and the depth of the cables could have a major impact on the health of the people living within close proximity of the power lines.

Attempts to contact Eirgrid for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

The Eirgrid website indicated the project was at public consultation stage. It also said it expected to offer a contract for the work before the end of the year.