RESIDENTS of the Tamar Valley are being encouraged to help with a study into reducing the visual impact of pylons in the AONB and are invited to two public events today (Thursday).

In November, National Grid identified a section of overhead power line which crosses the River Tamar near Weir Quay as having significant visual impact on the landscape. Now the company is holding two public events where local people can share their knowledge of the area and help to influence the initial research.

National Grid is now working in partnership with the Tamar Valley AONB to prepare a feasibility study to investigate the engineering options which could be used to reduce the visual impact of the electricity transmission line.

To help inform this initial research, the two events are taking place in St Dominick and Bere Ferrers, providing an opportunity for local people to share their views and local knowledge. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and provide additional information about the project.

The events are taking place simultaneously from 2pm until 8pm at Bere Ferrers Church Hall and The Who'd Have Thought It Inn, St Dominick.

Corinna Woodall, Tamar Valley AONB manager, said: 'We are encouraging local people to come along to these events and share knowledge they have about our precious landscape. Whether it's providing information about wildlife, archaeology or heritage, local people are well placed to share information which will be considered by the project team.'

Hector Pearson, National Grid VIP project manager, said: 'National Grid's electricity network is vital to our way of life, but this project provides a real opportunity to help reduce its impact on treasured landscapes like the Tamar Valley.

'These events are the first step in gathering essential information to help us to consider how we could reduce the visual impact of the transmission line near Weir Quay.'

The feasibility study forms part of the Visual Impact Provision project, a major initiative to reduce the visual impact of existing transmission lines in protected areas across Great Britain. The project will make use of a £500-million allowance made available by Ofgem until 2021.

A report outlining the options to mitigate the section of line in the Tamar Valley AONB will be available in spring 2015.