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Pylons in Sheppey Way, Iwade, are safe despite cyclist Laura Pike's shocking experience when riding under overhead powerlines

Pylons have been certified safe despite a cyclist reportedly getting an electric shock whenever she rode under an overhead powerline in a quiet country lane.

National Grid engineers were sent to Sheppey Way in Iwade to look into the matter after we carried a story about Laura Pike’s shocking experience.

The mum-of-two explained she got a shock though her entire body after she left the village and headed towards Sheppey bridge.

Cyclist Laura Pike has a shock from a pylon along Sheppey Way every time she leaves the village
Cyclist Laura Pike has a shock from a pylon along Sheppey Way every time she leaves the village

Mrs Pike, of Sanderling Way, described the feeling as ‘being pinched between two bars of metal’.

It was only when she realised it was happening at the same point every time that she put two and two together.

After posting her experience on the Iwade Does Facebook group several others said it happened to them at the same location.

The electricity and gas company said at the time there was nothing to worry about and insists that is still the case after it made its findings public this week.

A spokesman said: “We have inspected the pylons in question and confirm there is nothing untoward with them and no safety issue.

The mum of two described the feeling as being pinched between two bars of metal
The mum of two described the feeling as being pinched between two bars of metal

“No further work is planned because there is nothing about the pylons that needs rectifying.

“High-voltage power lines produce electric fields underneath them. Those electric fields can charge up objects and people, and when they touch each other or the ground, they can discharge through a tiny spark, very much like the static shock you can get after walking on a nylon carpet.

“Just like those static shocks, these tiny discharges are not regarded as harmful but they can certainly be disconcerting.

“They do not indicate that there is any safety problem or hazard with the power line.

electricity pylons
electricity pylons

“There are easy ways of eliminating these discharges.

“For cyclists, as you cycle under the line, just keep your fingers firmly touching a metal brake lever, or the bare metal of the handlebars inboard of the handlebar grip. That way you, and your bike will be in electrical contact the whole time, there will be no charge build up, and no discharges.”

People with concerns can call the EMF helpline on 08457 023270

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