Can a re-routed cross-border pylons plan appease locals?
Energy network bosses hope that a revised route for taking energy to England will appease at least some rural residents of the Scottish Borders.
Since plans for the Cross Border Connection were revealed last year protest groups have been formed in communities near the proposed pylons.
Following the backlash, Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) have altered several sections of the 57-mile route between Lauder and the border, south of Newcastleton.
But Rosi Lister from Action Against Pylons - a collection of local community protest groups - warned: "It's all very well revising the route, but as soon as you move it from one place you affect another community."
SPEN project manager Ewan Borthwick said: "Historically we've had energy coming from the south - England and Wales - through nuclear and hydro, so it's now our turn to send renewable energy the other way."
The Cross Border Connection is seen as a vital link in the UK upgrade of the national grid.
Dozens of wind farms and solar energy parks - from the Highlands all the way down to the Borders - are already connected to the grid, with many more projects in the pipeline.
Finding a suitable route for the 60-metre high pylons, between a proposed new electricity substation near Lauder and awaiting cables at the border near Carlisle, is proving problematic for SPEN.
And bosses have ruled out an underground solution.
Mr Borthwick added: "We know from previous projects that it is between six and nine times more expensive for an underground cable solution, rather than overhead.
"Going underground would take this project from the hundreds of millions [of pounds] into the billions, and we have a licence from Ofgem to come up with the most cost-efficient solution.
"It will be the electricity bill payers that will be paying for this over the next 50 years or so."
The revised route has taken the planned pylons further away from the villages of Roberton and Etrrickbridge - but moved them closer to settlements at Craik and Yarrow Feus.
There is also more use of areas already covered in forestry and the new route will have less impact on the World War II prisoner of war camp at Stobbs, outside Hawick.
More stories from South Scotland
Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds
SPEN's environmental planner Malrlene Marimbe said: "We reviewed all of the feedback from the public and statutory stakeholders during the consultation for the original route and modified the original preferred route.
"We believe this alternative route is more balanced when it comes to the concerns we received about visual impact and also the attractiveness of the landscape.
"We also took into account concerns about environmental impact as well as health impacts of proximity to residential properties."
The latest consultation over the route will end on May 2, with the official proposed Cross Border Connection route being published later in the year.
Around half a dozen community protest groups along the route have come together to form Action Against Pylons.
Rosi Lister from the group said: "We believe this will destroy a large part of the Scottish Borders.
"It's all very well revising the route, but as soon as you move it from one place you affect another community.
"There are no winners with these pylons."
Protesters to fight cross-border giant pylon plans
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Hamilton Spectator
28 minutes ago
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The Hill
34 minutes ago
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TOKYO (AP) — Japan and South Korea are marking the 60th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations Sunday. The two Asian powers, rivals and neighbors, have often had little to celebrate, much of their rancor linked to Japan's brutal colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. Things have gotten better in recent years, but both nations — each a strong ally of the United States — now face political uncertainty and a growing unease about the future of their ties. Here's a look at one of Northeast Asia's most crucial relationships, from both capitals, by two correspondents from The Associated Press. South Korea's new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, is determined to break sharply from the policies of his disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces a trial on charges of leading an insurrection over his imposition of martial law in December. 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San Francisco Chronicle
34 minutes ago
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Japan and South Korea mark 60 years of ties despite lingering tension and political uncertainty
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Things have improved in recent years, and Japan is watching to see whether Lee sticks with his conservative predecessor's more conciliatory diplomacy or returns to the confrontation that marked previous liberal governments. Cooperation between the two sides is 'more essential than ever' to overcome their shared problems such as worsening regional security and Trump's tariffs that have shaken free trade systems, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper Yomiuri said in a recent editorial. At a 60th anniversary reception in Tokyo, Ishiba said that he sees 'a bright future' in the relationship. He expressed hope also for cooperation in 'common challenges' such as low birth rates and declining populations. ___ Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea.
