National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) in Snowdonia took another important step forward with the first meeting of the project’s Community Liaison Group (CLG).

The meeting took place on Thursday 23^rd June in the Memorial Hall, Penrhyndeudraeth and was attended by key representatives of the community including local Gwynedd Councillors, Gwynfor Owen and Meryl Roberts as well as representatives from Penryhndeudraeth Town Council, Talsarnau and Maentwrog Community Councils, the Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Snowdonia Society, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), North Wales Wildlife Trust, Meirionnydd Ramblers and Chester & North Wales Cycling Group.

The CLG will meet regularly throughout the project which is looking to transform the landscape across the Dwyryd Estuary by removing 10 pylons and around 3.5km of overhead electricity line and replace it with cables buried in a tunnel deep beneath the estuary.

National Grid gave a presentation on what the community can expect to see over the next seven years and the timetable for the construction work which will start in full later in 2022.  Preliminary work is already under way and local people will see members of our team carrying out some ecological and archaeological work over the summer. 

Senior Project Manager, Steve Ellison who leads the National Grid team and presented to the Group, said, “Alongside safety, our relationships with the community are of paramount importance to us. The CLG is one of the many ways we will keep the community informed throughout construction. We have also established a website, telephone line and email address. We will also be holding a public drop in event later in the year where people can come along and meet the team.”

In a joint statement Councillor Gwynfor Owen who represents Talsarnau as part of the Harlech and Llanbedr Ward and Councillor Meryl Roberts who represents the Penrhyndeudraeth Ward said:

“We are extremely grateful to National Grid for the way they have engaged with the Local Community. The initial meeting was a clear indicator of how they are going to work. The whole community will benefit not only from the visual impact of the scheme but also from the Local Community Grants. We are very happy to discuss with any local group who may be able to access the grants, or anybody who have any concerns about the development.”

National Grid also gave details of its Community Grant Programme which is aimed at community organisations and charities in areas where National Grid’s work is impacting on local people through our operations and site activities.

It funds projects run by charities and community groups that meet local community needs by providing a range of social, economic and environmental benefits.  Organisations with projects that meet the criteria you can apply for a grant of up to £20,000*. More information can be found at https://www.nationalgrid.com/responsibility/community/community-grant-programme