Second protest over gas pipeline

One group of protesters have set up camp at the construction site

A group of demonstrators have begun a fresh protest against work on a gas pipeline in the Swansea Valley.

About a dozen protesters, who call themselves Rising Tide, said they were trying to stop work on cutting through rock at a site at Trebanos.

Last November protesters occupied part of the pipeline - which will run 150 miles (241km) from west Wales to Gloucestershire - for more than a week.

The National Grid confirmed protesters were at one of its road crossings.

The site under occupation is one where blasting with explosives was originally planned, but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) refused permission in November, saying it shared residents' concerns that the route of the pipeline was too close to home.

Instead National Grid are planning to dig a shaft for the pipeline by mechanical "peckers".

One group of protesters was camped on a public footpath which crosses an access road, stopping works vehicles getting through.

When you have the LNG pipeline actually going past your back door or back garden, then obviously you are going to have a different viewpoint from people who are living in a safer zone Rachel Evans, Trebanos resident

Another group, who said they were from Gloucestershire, was camped higher on the site, by a section of the pipeline.

They were being supported by Trebanos villagers who took part in demonstrations last year against the pipeline.

Trebanos resident Rachel Evans said the group were "highlighting an issue that hasn't gone away".

She said: "When you have the LNG pipeline actually going past your back door or back garden, then obviously you are going to have a different viewpoint from people who are living in a safer zone."

'Safety paramount'

Caroline Davidson of the National Grid said a "small number" of demonstrators were involved in the latest protest.

"Safety is paramount to National Grid at all times and in all aspects of our work," she said.

"However, we will be continuing construction of our essential natural gas pipeline when it is safe to do so."

Some residents opposed the use of explosives at Trebanos

Ms Davidson said contractors would be looking to talk to the protesters to discuss what concerns they had.

When complete, the pipeline will carry gas which has been imported as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at Milford Haven and will eventually provide 20%of the UK's energy supply.

Some residents in Milford Haven formed a campaign group, Safe Haven, to try to prevent two LNG terminal being built in the town, citing concerns over safety. An offshoot campaign, Safe Haven Network, has also taken part in protests against the pipeline.

In November the protesters occupied a section of the pipeline at Trebanos after initially being given permission to go onto the land by the owner.

The group, who said the pipe was not ecologically friendly or safe, lived in the pipeline for over a week, in cramped and wet conditions.

The action received support from many local people and some supplied food and clothes to the campaigners.