National Grid needs to expand its network of high-pressure natural gas pipelines through Somerset and Devon to meet the increasing demand for energy in the West Country and to supply the power station currently being built at Langage, near Plymouth.

The South West Reinforcement Project involves the construction of four new pipeline sections, together with the work required to upgrade the Above Ground Installations (AGIs) along the route, and will help meet this growing need.

The first of these sections, from Ilchester to Barrington, was completed in late 2006 and work started in March 2007 on the others: Ottery St Mary to Aylesbeare (10km); Aylesbeare to Kenn (16km); and Fishacre to Choakford to Lyneham (31km).

Work on these last three sections is due to be completed in autumn 2007.

These are large engineering projects and each section underwent a rigorous process of consultation and environmental appraisal before consent to construct was granted by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

The steel pipes are 600mm (24”) in diameter and the pipelines have been designed and built to the same high standards of safety and security as the other 6,800km (4,160 miles) of high-pressure gas transmission pipelines already in operation across the UK.

As part of the Aylesbeare to Kenn section, National Grid is working with contractors to build a 1.8km tunnel to allow the pipeline to run beneath the River Exe. This was undertaken after an extensive consultation process with environmental organisations and other interested parties and this dialogue will continue during construction as we are committed to minimising the impact of our work on the environment and local communities.