Response level delays Dumfries and Galloway pylon report

The report will now be published in January

A consultation report on plans for a major overhead power line upgrade has been delayed until the new year due to the number of comments received.

Scottish Power Energy Networks wants to build a new line between Auchencrosh in South Ayrshire and Harker in Cumbria.

The majority of the route is through Dumfries and Galloway.

The company said that the extension of the consultation period and more than 1,600 responses meant the report would not be completed this year.

It will now be published in January instead.

SP Energy Networks said it wanted to ensure it had "fully considered all the issues raised" before reaching a decision on what routes might be taken forward to the next stage of the process.

The report will be published on the project website and hard copies will be made available at local libraries and information points.

The company said it would also send a leaflet summarising the consultation report and next steps to every address within a kilometre of the preferred route corridor and substation siting areas.