South Canterbury farmers threaten lockout

South Canterbury farmers are threatening to lock out Transpower in a move that could delay important work on the Roxburgh-Islington line that supplies Christchurch, potentially threatening the city's security of supply reports Stuff. At a meeting yesterday the South Canterbury Fed Farmers pylons committee "“ representing landowners with pylons on their properties "“ gave representatives of the national grid operator seven days to agree to pay farmers compensation or be locked out. Committee member David Moore said if Transpower failed to agree to compensation, it would advise members to deny Transpower access to their properties to complete the upgrade of 20 remaining pylons in South Canterbury as part of the Roxburgh-Islington line. Talks broke down at the meeting after the sides failed to reach a deal on compensation for landowners. Until yesterday, committee members had allowed Transpower to do maintenance and upgrades on their properties over the past four years on the understanding that a workable solution would be reached. Moore said denying action was the only option left for farmers. He said 150 padlocks and signs barring Transpower would be sent out to members of the pylon group. Some farmers, including Jeremy Talbot, had already barred Transpower from entering their property to carry out upgrades. "From today there is to be no more access given to allow that work to be finished until we finally do get the settlement we've been seeking," Talbot said. "The [access] gate will be locked. The sign is quite clear. Vehicle access is barred to Transpower and its contractors."