BORDERS residents have come out in force to raise concerns over a “giant pylon project”.

Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) is looking to connect a proposed substation near Lauder to the Carlisle area using overhead lines.

It said the project was necessary to “strengthen the UK’s transmission network” and hit government climate targets.

SPEN’s preferred route cuts across the Tweed, Yarrow, Ettrick and Liddel valleys.

But concerns have been raised over its effect on the landscape.

Under the plans, steel towers of up to 61 metres would be placed every 200-300m across the near-50-mile route.

More than 100 people turned up for a meeting in Caddonfoot to discuss the scheme.

Conservative MP John Lamont, who represents the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency, hosted the gathering.

He said: “Many people are concerned about the consequences on our countryside that could arise from the installation of super pylons.

“I appreciate the worries of local residents and I will continue to highlight the issues they have with this project.”

There are three elements to SPEN’s proposals – the building of the ‘Gala North’ substation being one.

Another is the construction of a substation to the south of Hawick, with the two connecting via a 400kV double circuit line.

The third part of the project would see the route run to a point at the Scotland-England border. The plans are currently at the first round of consultation, with a second round planned for 2026.

SPEN hopes to submit its final application to the Scottish Government in 2028, with construction planned for 2029.

It has extended its current consultation exercise.

Ewan Borthwick, senior project manager at SPEN, said: “We appreciate the time and effort that people are taking to understand the Cross Border Connection and engage with us. We’ve had a great response to date at our drop-in events and community meetings.

“To help further engagement and ensure everyone can make their views known at this early stage of our proposals, we have decided to extend the consultation period through to November 30. We hope local residents and businesses will use this additional time to respond to the consultation and help us shape our proposals.”

SPEN is working with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), which is delivering the connection in England.

NGET’s proposals are at a “very early stage of development”.

It said the project has been designed to “strengthen the electricity network between Scotland and England for increased home-produced renewable energy” and connect new proposed onshore windfarms in the Scottish Borders to the network.