IT still irks me to see the rash of wind turbines mushrooming across he hills, valleys and flatland of our island gem. Wind turbines are being described as architectural acne. Innovative sources of energy production are worth dabbling with, but wind turbi

IT still irks me to see the rash of wind turbines mushrooming across he hills, valleys and flatland of our island gem.

Wind turbines are being described as architectural acne. Innovative sources of energy production are worth dabbling with, but wind turbines? Anything relating to the country's economy must be viewed rationally and profitably. Nowadays so many ideas are sullied by flawed thinking.

Practical use of utility services must balance with viability in mind. What does that say about wind turbines? The huge expense of erecting them is never balanced by output. When the contraptions lose favour as one day they will, whose responsibility will it be to remove them. The costs will be enormous.

Like the Fen windmills of old, wind turbines are subject to fluctuating whims of nature. Energy derived from a single turbine or a wind farm is laughable

I will say that current government plans to build a new generation of nuclear generating stations is realistically to the point; a vital step in the right direction ensuring independent power sustaining the country's future economical well-being.

No longer can we rely on diminishing supplies of North Sea gas to run non-eco-friendly power stations. Neither can we rely on controversial supplies of gas piped from Russia. The prospect of that is alarming and portends serious political implications.

After 25 years of production using gas and nuclear energy, safety and technological advances involving nuclear generating stations has immeasurably improved.

Spent nuclear waste can be recycled. Nuclear powered turbines work in unison with gas-powered turbines currently produce 28,000 watts consistently and reliably for the national grid. Nuclear generating stations are eco-friendly but the same cannot be said of gas-powered stations.

The possibility of harnessing tidal power at Wisbech is a much more practical and subtle solution than masses of wind turbines supported by tonnes of concrete interfering with natural drainage.

The latest must-have craze? Wind turbines attached to house gables, an idea dreamed up by entrepreneurs who hope to persuade the gullible public to buy them. It is even more laughable when realising this inane desire to be different will take light years to recoup the cost.

Wind farms can never remotely approach the wattage output produced by nuclear expertise and consistency. Ask the Danes, the Germans or the French. France is practically dependent on nuclear power, and it has sufficient to sell to us. What we need is Gallic common-sense.

Wind turbines are a grandiose delusion, designed to gratify the manufacturers' intent on making a killing from loads of green hype.

China, never slow to get in on the act and seize a gift horse let alone look at one, is gearing up to flood Britain with cheap generating devices. Toys for boys to brag about.

Don't waste your money. Invest in nuclear energy instead.

TREVOR BEVIS

St Peter's Road

March