Protesters 'asked to leave pipe'

A group moved onto the National Grid construction site in Pontardawe, Swansea Valley, on Monday and spent the night inside a pipe.

They had been given permission to be on the land from owner Ira Wynne Jones.

However, Miss Jones said she had had to ask them to leave as she could face financial penalties if they stayed.

All work has stopped on that section of pipeline while the protesters are in place.

Once complete, the pipe will carry gas from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Milford Haven to Gloucestershire.

"I have to get the protesters off my fields otherwise I shall be fined for having them on the field"
Ira Wynne Jones

The protesters had earlier said they would leave if they were evicted.

Miss Jones said she had allowed the protest on her land because she felt the group had the right to speak out over their concerns.

But on Tuesday afternoon, following discussions with National Grid, she changed her mind.

Miss Jones had signed a contract with National Grid allowing them to work on her land and accepted compensation for the disruption, which could be put at risk if she allowed the protesters to continue disrupting work.

She told BBC Wales: "I have to get the protesters off my fields otherwise I shall be fined for having them on the field so unfortunately they will have to leave."

The protesters had claimed the pipeline was causing significant damage and wanted it to be abandoned. They were also calling for environmentally-friendly sources of energy to be used rather than fossil fuels.

David Mercer, from National Grid, said the company had the "utmost respect" for the views of the landowners along the pipeline and tried to work with them.

"Miss Jones has signed a consent agreement allowing us to put the pipeline onto her land"
David Mercer, National Grid

Speaking on Tuesday evening, he said: "We have had a very useful meeting with Miss Jones [and she] has confirmed she's asked the protesters to leave the pipeline.

"I'm hopeful sometime tomorrow we will be able to recommence our construction activities.

"We do have consent for this pipeline and Miss Jones has signed a consent agreement allowing us to put the pipeline onto her land.

"She understands that position and is happy to ask the protesters to leave."

Jim Dunkley, from the Safe Haven Group, said the protesters would still maintain a camp near the site, even if they had to leave the pipeline.

"We're all for staying for the long haul whether that be weeks even months. No problem at all."

National Grid are hoping to start work once more on Wednesday morning.

Mr Mercer added: "We need to have a look at the site, make sure it's safe for our operations to recommence and get on with work as soon as we can."

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