REGARDING the article, 'Planners give thumbs down to substation', of November 24, I would like to thank the Guardian for the informative coverage given to this topic over the past 12 months.

The unbiased approach the paper has taken has played a vital role in helping the Substation Action Group (SAG), not only keeping alive the campaign to stop these developments but also to gain crucial cross-party political support for refusal.

SAG is very appreciative of the time, effort and public support afforded to the campaign by Mike Hall, MP, Cty Clr Nora Dolphin and all of the borough and parish councillors for Acton Bridge and Weaverham.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say a huge 'thank you' to the hundreds of people who have backed SAG throughout and pay particular tribute to our local supporters.

When it came to decision day, I am sure that members of Vale Royal Borough Council's planning committee were in no doubt about the strength of local feelings against these planning applications.

Not only were they impressed by the 2,117-signature petition, but also by the large number of people who consistently turned out for SAG events.

Without this support to back up the detailed arguments presented by SAG, the decision may well have been different.

Although we don't yet know what will happen next, we hope that Network Rail and National Grid will recognise the logic of objectors' views and abandon their plans for the wanton destruction of a sensitive and irreplaceable part of rural Cheshire.

GLEN GIDLEY

Chairman, SAG