The blockade by landowners of a 400Kv electricity substation in Coolnabacky, near Portlaoise, has entered its 160th day.

Members of the Ratheniska Timahoe Spink (RTS) substation action group first blockaded the site months ago, due to their concerns over a range over a range of issues, including water contamination as a result of the planned substation.

Escalated

The blockade has since escalated, with a spokesperson for the group now telling the Irish Farmers Journal the group will now not only be refusing any access for Eirgrid and ESB to the site, but also to the 400kv and 110kv power lines already located in the area.

“We have received huge support from landowners with these power lines.

"We will not let Eirgrid or ESB in and we have stated to them very clearly that this project is dead.

"Eirgrid had every opportunity to progress a project which satisfies the identified need, but have failed to do so,” the spokesperson said.

This natural water source provides water to over 10,000 residents in Laois

On Thursday 29 November, members of the group met Eirgrid CEO Mark Foley and four Eirgrid executives in Portlaoise to discuss the proposed project, which is to be part of the Laois-Kilkenny electricity transmission project.

The meeting was chaired by Fianna Fáil TD for Laois Sean Fleming and was organised as a result of the direct action currently under way at the site.

The spokesperson said that the group has been telling Eirgrid and the authorities for years of the serious risk posed to the vulnerable aquifer underneath the proposed site.

“This natural water source provides water to over 10,000 residents in Laois and the presence of very large tonnage of oil in the substation would present a clear and present danger to that supply.

"High voltage substations are a high fire risk and the results of such an incident would permanently damage our water,” he said.

Eirgrid comment

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, a spokesperson for Eirgrid said it is fully aware of the aquifer and its importance to local residents.

"Because of this, we conducted a thorough analysis of any possible impacts on it as part of our planning application.

"The analysis showed that there is a layer of stiff clay subsoil approximately of up to six metres thick above the aquifer at the location of the substation.

"The presence of this clay subsoil will impede any vertical flow of water to the underlying bedrock aquifer. This will prevent any possible contamination of the aquifer.

"The Laois Kilkenny Project has been rigorously scrutinised through a lengthy planning process, including an oral hearing in Portlaoise, a High Court judicial review and, most recently, a report by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources," he said.

Construction phase

The spokesperson said that Eirgrid is eager to move to the construction phase of this key piece of local infrastructure that will underpin economic growth for the midlands and is committed to working with the local community and landowners to resolve any issues in relation to the works.

"Planning conditions for these construction works have been discharged," he said.

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Landowners blockade construction site of 400kw Eirgrid substation