Windfarm risk

to wildlife

I AM very sorry to hear that Mr Brian Derbyshire imagines that wind farms are good for our environment.

Studies at a wind turbine site in Wales have revealed that two extremely rare red kites were killed last summer by the rotating blades of the wind turbines. German studies show turbines have killed dozens of red kites.

The proposed wind farm developments on the West Pennine moors give cause for some concern. These moors provide some of the last remaining breeding sites in England for a bird on the verge of extinction called the Twite. There are less than 215 pairs remaining in England. The habitat of this rare bird may be destroyed. Miles of service roads for the wind turbines will be built; each turbine requires huge concrete foundations made of highly polluting concrete to anchor it into the ground.

Britain certainly needs a more comprehensive, honest and realisable energy policy. Wind is an intermittent, additional source of a small amount of electricity, is not a serious alternative for an industrialised nation, and cannot make a significant impact at the global level. The Government has no mandate from the British people to destroy our upland heritage for virtually no gain and must be made to think again. I urge everyone to write to their local MP to stop this destruction from taking place.

Glen James (aged 21)

Student from Bolton at the University of Central Lancashire

Brook Street

Preston

DANGER ZONE: The blades on windfarm turbines are posing a real threat to birds