The Northwich Chronicle on 30. December (p4, headlined 'Substation update 'has minimal effect' ', quoted Steve Pardoe's comments that the changes which National Grid claim to have made to their proposed design, as a result of public feedback, were minimal and largely cosmetic. The article also announced that representatives from NG and Network Rail would be attending the Parish Council meeting on 5. January, and would be holding a Public Information Event in Acton Bridge on 12. January 2004.

The Northwich Guardian on 23. December (p6), headlined 'Substation proposals come under fire', reported that the SAG had spent the weekend looking over the plans - only to have their worst fears confirmed, and referred to the pre-Christmas timing of the application. [Steve] Pardoe said the substation 'will have a serious and permanent impact on the appearance of the two villages', and will 'utterly ruin the rural character'.

The Northwich Chronicle on 17. December (p29, headlined 'Green belt site 'the best' for substation', quoted Northwich MP Mike Hall as saying 'I very strongly object to this development. We have a Green Belt policy and this is a massive development on the Green Belt and for that reason it should be objected to. I do not doubt there is a need for it but I am sure that it could go elsewhere'. The SAG accused timing of the application just before Christmas of being a 'cynical move' aimed at stifling the opposition [see main substation page for more discussion of this topic].

The Northwich Chronicle article (p3, headlined 'Firms push on with substation scheme'), had similar quotations from Mr Knight-Gregson, but also quoted Steve Pardoe on behalf of the Substation Action Group, who pointed out that since the proposed further local consultation would take place after the closing date for objections to the Planning Application, they can only be intended as monologues.
	The Northwich Chronicle article (p3), headlined 'Firms push on with substation scheme', had similar quotations from Mr Knight-Gregson, but also quoted Steve Pardoe on behalf of the Substation Action Group, who pointed out that since the proposed further local consultation would take place after the closing date for objections to the Planning Application, they can only be intended as monologues.

	In the Northwich Chronicle of 26. November (p7) headlined "Substation 'may defy human rights'", Editor Paul Brown reported on the SAG's second public meeting in Weaverham, and Mike Hall MP's visit, with some helpful quotations. Mr Hall said: 'It's important that, with a development of this size, local people view it and form their own opinion. Nobody is disagreeing that the West Coast main Line needs upgrading and needs a secure source of electricity, what is the issue is the site that has been chosen, which the Substation Action Group believes is wholly wrong'.
Steve Pardoe was quoted as saying: ' 'It does appear that there is case under the Human Rights Act. One of our contacts is a barrister, who is working on our behalf, and we believe there is a possibility of putting a case together on the grounds of loss of amenity and disadvantage to villagers'. When asked about further consultation, a spokesman for the developers told the Chronicle: 'Consultation with local communities, especially with those residents who live in close proximity to any proposed development, is of utmost importance to National Grid. We have consulted with the local community and those residents that live close to our proposed substation site'. However, the article pointed out that "the spokesman did not give any indication that there would be any".
The Northwich Guardian of 26. November (p2, headlined "'Yet more support for group") reported on Mike Hall's visit to the SAG's 'drop in' style meeting in Weaverham, and that the total number of our feedback forms swelled to more than 200.

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In the Northwich Chronicle of 19. November (p5) headlined "MP backs group in fight against plant", Editor Paul Brown reported on the recent public meeting in Acton Bridge, and that Mike Hall MP was backing members of the Substation Action Group in their fight against the proposals. The article also advertised the Weaverham meeting on Friday 21. November, at which Mr Hall will be present from about 7pm.

Mike Hall was quoted as saying it was 'totally and utterly misleading' for the developers to describe their proposal as a substation. He told the Chronicle : 'It quite clearly contravenes the Vale Royal Local Plan and is something that residents are right to be concerned about. It is a massive development on green belt land and it will be a huge visual intrusion, and there are also concerns about the impact it will have on public health.' The article went on, "Mr Hall was full of praise for the way members of the action group have gone about their campaign. He said: 'The Substation Action Group has acted very, very responsibly. They have tried to find the answers to their questions, such as does it have to be this large, and are there other alternative sites in the area?'"

In the Northwich Guardian of 19. November (p7) headlined "'Remarkable turnout'" for public meeting", Joel Sawyer reported on Mike Hall's meeting with the SAG, and that residents turned out in force for our public meeting in Acton Bridge, with 115 visitors returning our feedback forms. It referred to the meeting in Weaverham on the 21st, and quoted Steve Pardoe as saying: "If National Grid and Network Rail persist with their planning application for the Station Road site, the villagers of Acton Bridge and Weaverham and their campaign partners are prepared to give them a very hard time".
	The Northwich Chronicle and Guardian (shown here, headlined "Villages join together for public meeting") both published articles on 12. November, announcing Friday's public meeting hosted by the Substation Action Group
Broadening the scope of our media campaign to the regional press, the widely-read Liverpool Daily Post published a prominent article on 11. November (p15) headlined "Blot on the landscape", with a photo of some of the local residents and a good piece about the substation story.
	Northwich Chronicle of 5. November (p5) headlined "Meeting offers chance to air substation views" reported the formation of the Substation Action Group, and advertised the "public meeting on 14. November, with a reference to this website.
Northwich Guardian of 29. October (p5) headlined "Backing for fight over rail power scheme" reported Weaverham Parish Council's support for the Substation Action Group's campaign.
	Northwich Chronicle of 22. October (p17) headlined "Villagers fight plans for 400kV substation" featured the photo from our "Runcorn" page, and commentary including a reference to this website. There was an additional section headed "Transco bosses supply the answers", in which a number of pertinent questions were answered by an unnamed spokesperson.
Northwich Chronicle of 15. October (p3), feature article: headlined "Plan 'must be proven essential'", largely following our press release, and including a colour image of the proposed development site plan, with quotes from concerned residents.
Northwich Chronicle of 1. October (p3), feature article: headlined "Rail bosses 'being insincere'" referred to our accusation that the manner in which the proposed substation had been disingenuous, in describing the site as Weaverham when in fact it's in Acton Bridge; and in using the word "substation", which suggests to the lay person a modest structure on a domestic scale. National Grid's spokesman Martin Howell was reported as not understanding how residents could have that impression. The article was accompanied by a colour photo titled "POWER STRUGGLE: Residents on the site off Station Road where a huge electrical substation is planned".
	Northwich Guardian of 24. September (p7) headlined "Consultation fails to allay residents' fears" featured the photo from the Public Information Event, and quotes from Cllr Richard Gorrill and Mrs Elizabeth Gidley.
Northwich Chronicle of 24. September (p1), front page main article: headlined "Residents get electric shock", it reported local concerns and included quotes from Cllr Richard Gorrill, Glen Gidley and Mrs Elizabeth Gidley.
	Northwich Guardian of 17. September (p26) headlined "Public consultations begin over Weaverham substation plans" announced the exhibitions in Weaverham on 18/19. September

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