382:, where it connects with the existing gas pipeline network. To permit the new pipeline to operate at the intended 94 bar, a Pressure Reduction Installation (PRI) is required before it joins the existing National Transmission System – the 'motorway' of gas distribution in the UK. National Grid applied to Forest of Dean District Council in 2006 for planning permission to construct a PRI at Corse but this was refused by the council and an appeal against that decision was refused by the Secretaries of State in December 2007. An application to construct a PRI on a second site, 400 metres (yards) from the first site, was lodged with Tewkesbury Borough Council in 2008 but was refused unanimously by that Council's Planning Committee on 2 February 2010. National Grid appealed against that decision.
301:(1364 psi) instead of 85 bar (1231 psi). This pressure is higher than most standard pipelines worldwide, though other such high-pressure pipelines have been successfully run in Germany, for example. It is buried 1.2 m (4 ft) underground for most of the route. National Grid replaced, levelled and cultivated the large amount of vegetation, subsoil and topsoil which had been removed to a width in places of a dual carriageway in an attempt to restore the land to its original condition. They consulted and used a wide range of environmental experts to help restore the environment.
358:
389:. Pipeline routing and environmental impact assessment took place from October 2004 to summer 2006 and consent and land acquisition took from winter 2005 to February 2007. The pipeline diameter is 1220 mm (48 inches). Construction began on this section in February 2007. The contractor for the Felindre to Brecon section was Nacap Land & Marine Joint Venture and for Brecon to Tirley section, Murphy Pipelines Ltd. The contentious nature of this section led to consultations with key statutory bodies, such as the
171:, liable to landslide and earthquake due to extensive historic mineworkings, which are deemed too dangerous for mains gas to be piped to local homes. Local people raised concerns and permission was denied in November 2006, but the pipeline was still laid in the area. As one local said: "If there was a shift or a landslip again, my fear is that the pipe would fracture, and we'd get an enormous gas leak." National Grid claimed that the pipeline would be secure. An undiscovered
135:. National Grid claimed that the project also had significant benefits for the Welsh economy: "The pipeline means for the first time, South Wales will be at the 'front end' rather than the 'tail end' of the UK gas transmission network. At present, gas flows west into Wales from England." It also stated that the project will "secure Wales' energy supply for many years to come, and will allow further economic development in South Wales."
223:
and Hay there were also found Bronze Age cremation sites and a post-medieval structure. Archaeologists commented that "the construction of the... pipeline provided a useful, if somewhat spatially limited... opportunity to investigate a section of countryside not often subject to modern development.
113:
oil and gas fields are used up. National Grid stated that, "The reality is that the offshore fields are decreasing in output and demand for gas from homes and businesses is growing at such a rate, that analysis shows that the UK will become increasingly dependent upon imported gas over the coming
232:
The environmental consequences of the pipeline and the perceived lack of local consultation led to considerable protest. Protests were organised by local groups along with Safe Haven
Network, supported by climate change action group Rising Tide UK. Work was delayed by protest in November 2006 at
281:
notice in April 2007 to avoid any responsibility for any delays in gas delivery. In June 2007 a High Court ruling meant the Brecon protest camp featuring tree houses and tunnels open since
January was closed down with a number of protestors arrested and substantial local disruption to roads. In
276:
were pressured to speed up planning permission. Planning decisions were pushed through, as in the case of the
Cilfrew Pressure Reduction Installation which was approved only by excluding certain protesting councillors from the vote, a process deemed illegal by a high court judge saying "it is a
92:
The pipeline was expected to cost around £700 million, and was, according to the
National Grid, expected to transport around 20% of the gas needed to meet UK consumption in future. Construction of the pipeline was estimated to take approximately three years, aiming to end in October 2007.
441:
131:, which was being planned and built at the same time, was ruled out for expense reasons. Critics suggested that the money on the pipeline and terminals would have been better spent on renewable energy sources which would provide permanent energy security and would also have prevented
126:
This energy security concern accounted for the great rapidity in planning of the pipeline route, starting in 2003, as existing South Wales pipelines were too small to transport the gas needed from the planned terminals. An alternative subsea route using similar technology to the
143:
In
Milford Haven, concerns have focused on the possibility of collision between LNG tankers and oil tankers in one of the UK's busiest ports, as well as the danger that the terminals will be a target for terrorism. A 16-mile section of the pipeline passed through part of the
345:
Pipeline routing was planned
January 2004 to March 2005; while consent and land acquisition took from March 2005 to spring 2006. Construction began on this 120 km (75 mi) section in March 2006. The pipeline diameter is 1220 mm (48 inches). It runs to
449:
122:
is likely to become an increasingly important issue and importation of liquid natural gas from the Middle East will help diversify UK energy supplies otherwise dependent on a few suppliers such as Russia.
623:
648:
354:
Pressure
Reduction Installation, pressure is reduced so that gas can flow into the existing pipeline network serving south Wales. The contractor is Nacap Land & Marine Joint Venture.
268:
The opposition was also supported by a perception by local Welsh people that a pipeline like this would not be permitted in
England, raising echoes of the infamous drowning of
148:
in South Wales, despite repeated objections from the
National Park Authority. The Park contains a number of environmentally sensitive areas in the UK, including numerous
160:
and its tributaries. The pipeline was allowed within the Brecon
Beacons National Park as it was ruled a "critical" part of future energy needs on 7 February 2007 by the
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253:, with locals and activists regularly disrupting work. There were strong similarities to the concerns raised by the anti-pipeline protest movement at
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The discoveries made during the project, whilst generally small in scale, help expand our knowledge of the history and prehistory of eastern Powys."
161:
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18:
289:, protestors forced the National Grid to choose another site that was more expensive but more environmentally friendly for their installation.
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issue by the government, the pipeline's significance lies in the UK's move from being a net exporter to a net importer of energy as the
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The pipeline was completed in November 2007, which was marked by the opening of a valve at Felindre by Government Energy Minister
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The construction of the pipeline made it possible for archaeologists to study four sections of the Roman road between
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where the National Park Authority called it a "huge blow". The pipeline was completed in November 2007.
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wonder that anybody votes on anything". The result of this decision led the National Grid to declare a
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route was discovered in two places. North east again, a hitherto unknown Roman road was discovered at
406:
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was found during the building of the pipeline near Brecon and was partially destroyed as a result.
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Environmental controversy surrounded the decision to build it, especially through sections of the
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651:. Department of Trade and Industry/Government News Network. 7 February 2007. Archived from
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8:
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67:
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The pipeline is operated at a higher pressure than other gas pipelines in the UK: 94
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which will be the biggest LNG terminal in the world and is a joint project between
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Brycheiniog, The Journal of the Brecknock Society. volume XLV, 2014, pp. 145–164
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329:. It then runs to near Waterston, the site of a second, smaller terminal,
58:. The 197-mile (317 km) pipeline passing through Wales was built for
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269:
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617:"Minutes of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority 10 October 2006"
347:
326:
216:
200:
184:
172:
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196:
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719:"National Grid declare Force Majeure on Milford Haven Gas Pipeline"
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This 122-mile (196 km) section passes through 16 miles of the
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UK's Health and Safety Executive reviews Welsh gas pipeline safety
375:
246:
208:
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188:
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149:
475:"Controversial National Grid Pipeline given the go ahead!"
199:. To the north east of Y Gaer, a section of the Brecon to
649:"Environmental conditions placed on South Wales pipeline"
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433:
261:. The tactics used were similar to those used in similar
477:. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. Archived from
430:
340:
835:
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812:"Choosing our Route and Protecting the Environment"
549:
547:
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555:"Resistance Builds up Against Welsh Gas Pipeline"
219:. In the area north of the National Park between
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721:. National Grid. 10 April 2007. Archived from
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100:
956:Buildings and structures in Gloucestershire
946:Natural gas pipelines in the United Kingdom
941:Transport buildings and structures in Wales
622:. Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.
409:and Blaenavon World Heritage Partnership.
370:Starting from a new compressor station at
304:
167:The route includes unstable areas such as
951:Buildings and structures in Pembrokeshire
485:
442:"Difference of opinion over gas pipeline"
215:, and a large Roman enclosure ditch near
195:, two at Maescar, and one near Y Gaer at
138:
378:the pipeline runs to Corse near Tirley,
356:
333:, which is run by a consortium in which
274:Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
272:for a reservoir. Local councils such as
114:years." This depletion was predicted by
896:"Milford Haven Gas Connection Projects"
526:"Milford Haven Gas Connection Projects"
439:
237:. Other protests and camps occurred at
178:
933:
841:"Milford Haven to Aberdulais Pipeline"
751:from the original on 25 September 2007
597:from the original on 28 September 2013
584:
469:
467:
399:Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
681:from the original on 9 September 2007
561:from the original on 11 October 2012
150:sites of special scientific interest
54:) is the UK's largest high-pressure
699:Britannia, Vol. 39, 2008, pp. 272–3
629:from the original on 26 August 2020
464:
440:Morrell, Peter (15 November 2006).
120:energy policy of the United Kingdom
13:
916:"New pipeline 'will aid industry'"
745:"Six arrests in gas pipe eviction"
675:"Roman road found at gas pipeline"
506:from the original on 23 March 2009
496:"Controversial gas pipe completed"
341:Milford Haven – Aberdulais section
14:
982:
888:
781:from the original on 22 July 2012
557:. UK Indymedia. 20 January 2007.
162:Department of Trade and Industry
898:. National Grid. Archived from
869:. National Grid. Archived from
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843:. National Grid. Archived from
814:. National Grid. Archived from
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793:
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528:. National Grid. Archived from
293:Technical description and route
667:
641:
609:
585:Harris, John (27 April 2007).
518:
1:
867:"Felindre to Tirley Pipeline"
424:
412:
391:Countryside Council for Wales
361:Stacked pipes at Sentry Cross
154:special areas of conservation
966:Environment of Pembrokeshire
387:Brecon Beacons National Park
146:Brecon Beacons National Park
95:Brecon Beacons National Park
7:
317:, the pipeline connects to
263:environmental direct action
10:
987:
747:. BBC News. 19 June 2007.
677:. BBC News. 17 June 2007.
227:
587:"How green was my valley"
407:Welsh Assembly Government
366:Felindre – Tirley section
101:Planning and significance
81:, Pembrokeshire with the
961:Environment of Brecknock
918:. BBC News. 17 July 2006
48:South Wales Gas Pipeline
305:Milford Haven Terminals
257:, Ireland organised by
362:
337:is the major partner.
139:Environmental concerns
52:Milford Haven pipeline
360:
71:liquefied natural gas
971:Environment of Wales
655:on 27 September 2007
502:. 27 November 2007.
179:Archaeological gains
83:national gas network
873:on 10 December 2012
847:on 11 December 2011
818:on 13 December 2011
118:. As a result, the
116:Hubbert peak theory
89:, Gloucestershire.
50:(also known as the
30: /
771:"Protest pays off"
725:on 8 November 2013
452:on 3 February 2008
403:Environment Agency
363:
129:Langeled pipeline
105:Ruled a national
60:National Grid plc
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448:. Archived from
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34:51.965°N 2.256°W
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889:External links
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395:English Nature
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350:where, at the
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133:global warming
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39:51.965; -2.256
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309:Beginning at
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279:force majeure
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920:. Retrieved
904:. Retrieved
900:the original
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871:the original
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820:. Retrieved
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723:the original
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683:. Retrieved
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508:. Retrieved
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479:the original
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450:the original
446:Western Mail
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311:Herbrandston
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259:Shell To Sea
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56:gas pipeline
51:
47:
15:
510:15 February
323:QatarEnergy
270:Capel Celyn
255:County Mayo
213:Three Cocks
189:Brecon Gaer
37: /
935:Categories
425:References
413:Completion
348:Aberdulais
331:Dragon LNG
327:ExxonMobil
313:, west of
265:protests.
217:Hay-on-Wye
207:, between
201:Kenchester
185:Llandovery
173:Roman road
64:South Hook
62:and links
22:51°57′54″N
633:26 August
284:Peterstow
197:Aberyscir
193:Trecastle
191:: one at
158:River Usk
156:like the
111:North Sea
75:terminals
25:2°15′22″W
779:Archived
749:Archived
679:Archived
624:Archived
595:Archived
591:Guardian
559:Archived
504:Archived
500:BBC News
372:Felindre
335:BG Group
235:Trebanos
169:Trebanos
376:Swansea
352:Cilfrew
247:Alltwen
243:Cilfrew
228:Protest
209:Llyswen
922:1 July
906:1 July
877:1 July
851:1 July
822:1 July
785:1 July
755:1 July
729:1 July
685:1 July
659:1 July
601:1 July
565:1 July
536:1 July
456:1 July
405:, the
401:, the
397:, the
251:Brecon
249:, and
221:Brecon
205:Pipton
152:, and
87:Tirley
73:(LNG)
68:Dragon
627:(PDF)
620:(PDF)
374:near
924:2012
908:2012
879:2012
853:2012
824:2012
787:2012
757:2012
731:2012
687:2012
661:2012
635:2020
603:2012
567:2012
538:2012
512:2009
458:2012
325:and
211:and
187:and
66:and
46:The
299:bar
85:at
77:at
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