The trip was part of the National Parks Societies Annual Conference which was held this year at the Plas y Brenin Outdoor Centre in Capel Curig.

During the first day of the conference (Thursday 13 October), Senior Project Manager for the Snowdonia Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project, Steve Ellison, addressed the conference, presenting to 50 delegates from National Parks Societies, NGOs, and government bodies from across the country. He talked about the broad remit of VIP, the vital role of stakeholders in decision making and the positive impact the projects will have – and in some cases already having - on the landscape, environment and local communities.

On Friday, delegates arrived in Penrhyndeudraeth and Steve led a three-hour guided walk around the estuary, stopping at numerous locations to view the pylons and discuss key aspects of the project. The group asked a broad range of questions and discussions covered areas on a range of topics from tunnelling techniques, coping with the local geology, to community engagement and local workforce strategy.

John Harold, Director of the Snowdonia Society, whose team organised the whole three-day conference commented, “We’ve been consulted on this project from the very outset but walking the pylon line as we did today, really brought home the scale and impact of this fantastic landscape enhancement project. We look forward to watching its progress and to working alongside National Grid throughout the construction phase.”

Steve Ellison added, “It’s essential for the project that we fully engage with the local community and take people with us on the journey to a pylon-free Dwyryd. We’re keen to talk about the project  to all community and stakeholder groups and the Snowdonia Society are central to this engagement locally.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about the project should contact [email protected] or call us on 0800 019 1898.