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MEPs hear anti-gas pipe petition Gas pipe concerns to be examined
(about 6 hours later)
Campaigners against a £1bn natural gas pipeline stretching across Wales are to take their case to the European Parliament. Campaigners against a £1bn natural gas pipeline who petitioned the European Parliament have been told the matter will be investigated.
They will tell MEPs of their safety concerns over the 196 mile (316km) pipe and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Milford Haven. They had met MEPs to outline their safety concerns over the 196 mile (316km) pipe and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Milford Haven.
The European Commission will examine the case and report back to MEPs.
National Grid said it believed it had complied with the relevant EU consent and construction directives.National Grid said it believed it had complied with the relevant EU consent and construction directives.
The pipeline, from Pembrokeshire to Gloucestershire, opened last month. The company, which was at the European Parliament to put its case, said a full environmental impact assessment required by EU law had been carried out, as well as extensive public consultation.
The European Commission will report back to the European Parliament Petitions Committee on whether it feels EU directives have been breached.
'Growing demand'
The pipeline, from Pembrokeshire to Gloucestershire, opened in November.
National Grid has said the scheme, which took three years to complete, was needed to cope with growing demand for gas in Britain.National Grid has said the scheme, which took three years to complete, was needed to cope with growing demand for gas in Britain.
The fuel will be shipped in as liquid to two terminals at Milford Haven, where it will be converted back into gas to be transported along the pipeline.The fuel will be shipped in as liquid to two terminals at Milford Haven, where it will be converted back into gas to be transported along the pipeline.
Specially-built giant tankers, used to ship the gas to Britain, are due to start arriving at the port next year. Specially-built giant tankers, used to ship the gas to Britain, are due to start arriving at the port in 2008..
Protests have been staged at various sites along the routeProtests have been staged at various sites along the route
The pipeline's construction was hit by protests at Trebanos, in the Swansea Valley, and at woodland just outside Brecon, where contractors were forced to obtain an eviction notice to move them. The pipeline's construction was hit by protests at Trebanos, in the Swansea Valley, and at woodland just outside Brecon, where contractors obtained an eviction notice to move them.
Residents at Cilfrew near Neath went to the High Court in a bid to overturn planning permission for a sub-station near their village. Residents at Cilfrew near Neath went to the High Court in an attempt to overturn planning permission for a sub-station near their village.
The protesters at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday will be greeted by Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, who will accompany them to the Committee of Petitions meeting. National Grid responded to the issues raised by the campaigners on Thursday in a statement which said: "We believe that we have complied with the relevant EC directives through the consenting and construction processes for the new pipelines from Milford Haven to Tirley."
National Grid has given a response to the committee on the issues raised by the campaigners.
In a statement, the firm said: "We believe that we have complied with the relevant EC directives through the consenting and construction processes for the new pipelines from Milford Haven to Tirley."