Arrests at gas pipeline protest

Some protesters blocked one access route to the site

A protest at a gas terminal over the construction of pipeline from west Wales to Gloucestershire has ended.

A police operation was launched after around a dozen activists broke into the South Hook liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near Milford Haven.

Thirteen people were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass - seven of them from Cardiff and others from Bristol, Manchester and Norwich.

Protests have already been held against the 190-mile (306 km) pipeline.

One of Wednesday's protesters was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Campaigners said the protest, which began at around 0400 GMT, was designed to stop work at the terminal, but the attempt appeared to have failed.

They claim the pipeline is damaging the environment and have raised health and safety concerns.

Last week the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave the go-ahead for the second phase of the project which will pass through part of the Brecon Beacons.

In November, work on the first phase was halted by demonstrators who climbed inside the pipe at Trebanos in the Swansea Valley.

The protest caused a tailback of lorries on the plant access road

One protester at the South Hook terminal on Wednesday said around 20 people had been involved.

Police had earlier escorted some protesters away from the site, but others remained and were blocking a road.

The remaining protesters were removed from the access road at around 1230 GMT.

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.

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