GridWest underground route option

On Monday last, EirGrid announced plans for an underground route option from northwest Mayo to Flagford in Roscommon. After public consultation and unrest from affected house and landowners near the original proposed route, EirGrid undertook an analysis of an underground route for the project.

Proposals for both the overhead and underground lines are due to be reviewed by an independent expert panel. However, property owners near the proposed route are giving a cautious welcome to the announcement. They welcome the underground proposal, but they fear that the option will be turned down purely on cost groundings.

The original above ground pylon route had a cost estimate of €240m. Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte has repeatedly quoted that going underground could treble the cost of the project. Previously, the minister said that Ireland “could not afford” to put the project underground.

Speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk earlier this week, he said “cost must be taken into account”.

Affected property owners along the proposed route said this week that the independent expert panel should also factor in the potential cost to tourism in the affected areas and possible health implications for people along the suggested routes.

In addition to the announcement of a preferred underground route, EirGrid is presenting localised changes to the overhead route following feedback. These include the possibility to put lower voltage lines into the proposed substation at Moygownagh underground, as well as 7km of the existing 220kV line into Flagford.