National Grid has submitted its Environmental Statement for the proposed 44 km, 900mm-diameter (36”) natural gas pipeline between Wormington (near Evesham) and Sapperton (near Cirencester) to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
This essential pipeline is needed to expand National Grid’s high-pressure network through Gloucestershire to meet the growing demand for reliable and economic gas supplies in the west of England, and to accommodate changing gas flows in the area. The pipeline will link into National Grid’s gas transmission network at existing facilities in Wormington and Sapperton.
The five-volume Environmental Statement outlines the results of an extensive range of surveys used to refine the proposed pipeline route, and shows mitigation measures to minimise its effect on the environment. Copies of the document will be available to view at local council offices (see list below). Members of the public are able to send comments to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), whose consent is needed before National Grid can start main construction works.
National Grid Project Manager, Mark Beard said: “Subject to approval from DECC, we will start construction of this essential pipeline next spring for expected completion in October 2010.”
“Care for the environment is extremely important to National Grid and we are committed to effectively managing and monitoring all of our works. The Environmental Statement is the
result of many months of surveys by our teams of environmentalists, archaeologists, geologists and other specialists. It assesses the effects of the pipeline on the environment and details how these will be minimised before, during and after construction.
“We very much appreciate the advice and comments received through consultations with bodies including Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Cotswolds Conservation Board, local authorities and with affected landowners and many local countryside, farming and conservation groups. These consultations have been crucial in helping to shape our proposals and have ensured the route put forward takes full account of the environment and all of the other necessary factors when routing a large pipeline such as this.”
The non-technical summary of the Environmental Statement can be viewed on the National Grid website at www.nationalgrid.com/uk/gas/pipelines and copies can be obtained free of charge by calling National Grid’s Project Information line on 0800 731 0561. Members of the public who wish to comment on the Environmental Statement should write to Gary Mohammed, Wormington to Sapperton Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline, The Department of Energy and Climate Change, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET by 06 March 2009.
Copies of the full Environmental Statement can be viewed at the locations listed below:
Cotswold District Council
Trinity Road
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1PX
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Gloucester
GL1 2TH
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Council Offices
Gloucester Road
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire
GL20 5TT
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Further media information from Caroline Davidson, Project Communications on 07785 254696