Farmers, Transpower meet over pylon compensation

Auckland and Waikato farmers have joined forces to demand compensation from Transpower for access on to their land to upgrade power pylons.

The lines company and the farmers were meeting in Wellington today to discuss the contentious upgrade of pylons running through farmland from Whakamaru in South Waikato to Auckland.

The meeting follows up on one last week, when Transpower presented the farmers with an access agreement for the $10 million project.

Waikato farmers spokesman Peter Buckley said today the situation would only escalate if Transpower refused to negotiate, but he was sure the company would see commonsense.

Transpower spokesman Chris Roberts said farmers had no legal right to block workers from coming on to their properties.

- NZPA