Adam Price MP
Press Release
27 October 2005
Labour Accused of 'Dereliction of Duty' As Pipeline Goes Through Tywi
Rhodri Glyn Thomas and Adam Price, Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales Assembly Member and Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr have voiced their deep concern following the announcement by National Grid that they intend adopting the proposed 'Tywi Valley route' as their preferred option for the Felindre to Tirley section of the Milford Haven to Gloucestershire Liquifed Gas pipeline.
The alternative route veers north from Felindre, by passing Ammanford, Llandybie, Llandeilo, Llangadog before turning right across the north of the Brecon Beacons National Park to Brecon.
Mr Thomas and Mr Price said in a joint statement:
"We are deeply concerned at the lack of consultation pertaining to this newly adopted route. As elected members we received no communication from National Grid and only learnt of the alternative route from constituents who had seen surveying work being undertaken over recent weeks. This route splits our constituency in two and we are angry that neither we nor the communities we represent have been consulted at any stage. We only received any information when we raised the matter in Parliament and contacted the company directly.
"We are also angry at the attitude of the Labour Government in the Assembly and in Parliament. The Assembly Government refused even to issue a statement on the development, whilst in Parliament we received a reply stating that this was an issue for the company alone. This is a major planning development, and we would have hoped that the Government would have slightly more interest in the matter. The Governments in both the Assembly and Westminster are guilty of a dereliction of duty; this is nothing less than an abdication of responsibility.
"The area of the proposed route is heavily reliant upon Agriculture and Tourism. Naturally we are concerned at the effect the development will have on the local economy. The new route will also encroach on the northern half of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This option also is double the length of the original route."
"We will be using every avenue possible to fight this proposal and we will be organising an urgent meeting with National Grid to discuss this issue."
Diwedd / Ends
Notes to Editors
Liquefied Gas Pipeline
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had with Transco about the proposed routes of the liquefied gas pipelines from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire; [19352]
(2) if he will make a statement on the proposed routes of the Milford Haven liquefied gas pipeline. [19353]
Malcolm Wicks: I have facilitated discussions between the LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal companies, National Grid (formerly "National Grid
19 Oct 2005 : Column 1057W
Transco"), and Ofgem, about the need for timely pipeline connections to flow natural gas from the terminals (when commissioned) into the National Transportation System for gas. The choice of route is a commercial matter for National Grid, subject to the necessary regulatory consents.
For further details please contact Jonathan Edwards on 01269 597677
