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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Pipeline blasting refused by DTI | Pipeline blasting refused by DTI |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Contractors working on a gas pipeline running across Wales have been told they cannot use explosives to route it through a Swansea Valley village. | Contractors working on a gas pipeline running across Wales have been told they cannot use explosives to route it through a Swansea Valley village. |
| The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has refused the National Grid permission to blast at Trebanos. | The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has refused the National Grid permission to blast at Trebanos. |
| It said it shared residents' concerns that the route was too close to homes so the work should be done manually. | It said it shared residents' concerns that the route was too close to homes so the work should be done manually. |
| The National Grid said it was "disappointed" and said it would mean a longer period of disruption. | The National Grid said it was "disappointed" and said it would mean a longer period of disruption. |
| Campaigners occupying a section of pipe a couple of miles away at Pontardawe are continuing a separate protest. | Campaigners occupying a section of pipe a couple of miles away at Pontardawe are continuing a separate protest. |
| In a letter to the National Grid, the DTI said the secretary of state had decided to "err on the side of caution" and took the view that while manual digging would take longer, the delay "would not threaten the transportation of gas from the LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals at Milford Haven." | |
| 'Vigorous campaign' | 'Vigorous campaign' |
| A fault line runs through the village and residents claimed blasting could cause land slides or structural damage to their homes. | |
| Local AM Gwenda Thomas said she was "very pleased" with the ruling. | Local AM Gwenda Thomas said she was "very pleased" with the ruling. |
| "I'm delighted that the DTI have come down on the side of the people in this case, and I pay tribute to the people of Trebanos for fighting such a vigorous campaign," she said. | "I'm delighted that the DTI have come down on the side of the people in this case, and I pay tribute to the people of Trebanos for fighting such a vigorous campaign," she said. |
| Neath MP and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said local residents had "expressed serious concerns" about the safety of the proposals because of former mine workings. | Neath MP and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said local residents had "expressed serious concerns" about the safety of the proposals because of former mine workings. |
| He said: "I wrote to Alisdair Darling last month asking him to take these issues into account, and I believe he has reached the right decision." | He said: "I wrote to Alisdair Darling last month asking him to take these issues into account, and I believe he has reached the right decision." |
| A spokesperson for National Grid said: "We are disappointed with the decision as we believe the use of controlled explosive charges would have been a safe, quick and efficient way to complete the tunnel shaft. | A spokesperson for National Grid said: "We are disappointed with the decision as we believe the use of controlled explosive charges would have been a safe, quick and efficient way to complete the tunnel shaft. |
| "We will however be continuing with our mechanical works. | "We will however be continuing with our mechanical works. |
| "There will now be a longer period of disruption for local people because the work will take longer using this process." | "There will now be a longer period of disruption for local people because the work will take longer using this process." |