Richard Burt Backs Villagers' Fight Against Gas Installation (West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats)

West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats <contact.us@westworcslibdems.org.uk>

Richard Burt Backs Villagers' Fight Against Gas Installation

August 22, 2006 5:40 PM

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt, has given his backing to local campaigners against plans by National Grid PLC to build a Pressure Reduction Installation at Corse.

National Grid have submitted a planning application to Forest of Dean District Council to build the installation on a six acre site in open farmland along the proposed route of the longest gas pipeline to be built in the UK for 30 years.

Mr Burt has written a letter of objection to the planning authority in support of residents of the surrounding villages and parishes who have formed 'CAPRI' - the Campaign Against the Pressure Reduction Installation - to oppose the plans (see www.capriofcorse.co.uk for more information).

"I am backing the campaign because the impact of such a large industrial development would devastate an area of outstanding beauty and give rise to serious safety concerns in West Worcestershire settlements like Corse Lawn, Eldersfield and Lime Street.

"National Grid are proposing to build a massive installation with 12 chimneys, each 8.5metres to handle gas at very high pressures.

"This may be the cheapest option for transporting gas for National Grid shareholders, but the environmental costs and lack of any safety track record on handling gas at these pressures by National Grid gives serious cause for concern.

"I don't see why residents should become guinea pigs for National Grid cost saving experiments. Accidents do happen in the gas industry and the results of an explosion would be catastrophic.

"There is no reason why pipes cannot be buried underground for gas to be moved at the normal operating pressure, halving the risk of accidental explosion and restoring the countryside to its former state. I have urged the planning authority to back local residents against the interests of a corporate giant. This is a David and Goliath fight in which the future of local villages is at stake."