Western Gas Network Project
Essential upgrades and new gas transmission infrastructure

About the Western Gas Network project

Essential upgrades and new gas transmission infrastructure.

National Gas brings energy to life by getting heat, light and power to people’s homes and businesses. We’re also at the heart of a revolution to create a greener energy future and are committed to reducing our own direct greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050, in line with the UK’s overall target.  

Redressing the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we produce and the amount we remove from the atmosphere won’t happen overnight. 

As we explore new ways to harness renewable energy and change the way we operate, we must continue to bring energy to life through transformational engineering which delivers what households and businesses need. 

Gas underpins the journey to net zero. It provides more than 80% of Britain’s homes and businesses with a secure and reliable source of heat and power. By delivering a reliable base to meet the nation’s energy demand, it enables increasing innovation and growth of cleaner, but more intermittent, renewable energy sources.  

Gas can also help to decarbonise heat, the biggest source of UK carbon emissions, at the lowest cost and with the least disruption to consumers. This is true for both natural gas and other forms of gas such as hydrogen and biomethane. 

At the same time, where our gas comes from right now is changing, with imports via Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals increasing.  

National Gas needs to respond to these changes. We facilitate competition in the supply of gas in Great Britain and ensure the UK’s gas transmission network – the pipes and turbines that propel gas around the country – can accommodate the changing nature of supply. We connect sources of supply to homes and businesses. 

Project overview 

On the western part of our network, enabling the transition to net zero means we need to increase capacity to accommodate more gas from South Hook LNG Terminal. We currently anticipate being able to bring forward the date when the additional capacity will be available from Jan 2026 to during 2025, with the intention that all project work be complete in 2026.

How we achieve this increase in capacity is important – construction has environmental and community impacts, and the cost of the work is met by households and businesses through energy bills. 

A thorough and detailed analysis of our network revealed the option with the least amount of new infrastructure, the least impact on people and the environment, at the least cost. It represents the best value for UK consumers. 

The work, collectively known as the western gas network upgrade, involves:  

  • 9km of new pipeline between Wormington (Gloucestershire) and Honeybourne (Worcestershire) and 2km of new pipeline in Churchover (Warwickshire) 

  • Pressure uprating of the existing pipeline between Milford Haven (Pembrokeshire) and Three Cocks (Powys)   

  • Related works at existing National Grid sites in South Wales and England to facilitate the pressure uprating, connection of new pipelines and effective compression at existing station 

Because the new pipelines will be underground and we’re upgrading existing infrastructure, much of the work can be done under permitted development. We do need consent from local authorities for some parts of the project and to work with landowners whose property will host the infrastructure. We’d also like to engage with local politicians, residents and businesses - their feedback will help us to design construction activity in the most appropriate way. We’re aiming to start construction in 2024. 

Project documents

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) documents and maps

On 20 October 2022 National Grid Gas Plc (“National Grid”) made the National Grid Gas Plc (Western Gas Network Project) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022 to enable it to compulsorily acquire the land and new rights required for the construction and operation of a new 9km section of gas pipeline between Wormington (Gloucestershire) and Honeybourne (Worcestershire); a new 2km section of gas pipeline in Churchover (Warwickshire); works to facilitate pressure uprating of the existing gas pipeline between Felindre (Swansea) and Three Cocks (Powys) and Cilfrew (Neath Port Talbot); and associated works to existing above ground installations (“the Project”).

A copy of the notice confirming the making of the CPO has been served on all those with an interest in the land included in the CPO, displayed on site and published in local newspapers. A copy can be viewed here:

Download public notice

A copy of the CPO, the Maps which show the land included in the CPO, and the Statement of Reasons which explains why the CPO has been made, and the documents referred to in it, are available to view below:

Download CPO

Download CPO Maps

Download Statement of Reasons (English) 

Download Statement of Reasons (Welsh)

The CPO has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for confirmation.

Objections were made to the CPO and a public inquiry is due to commence on 9th May 2023 at 10am. The inquiry will be held virtually, and is anticipated to run for 4 days. Formal notice of the inquiry and how to attend will be published in due course.

At the inquiry an Inspector will hear evidence from National Grid and the remaining objectors before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State about whether the CPO should be confirmed. If confirmed, National Grid will have powers available to it to compulsorily acquire the land and rights needed for the Project.

National Gas Transmission Plc have requested that if the Order is confirmed, it is modified to remove the land at Cilfrew, which is no longer needed for the project.

National Grid’s Statement of Case and the Core Documents that will be relied upon at the inquiry are available to view below.

Further detail on the compulsory purchase process can be found in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Guidance on Compulsory Purchase Process and The Crichel Down Rules (July 2019), which is available to view and download for free online.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has also produced booklets and guidance on how the compulsory purchase process works entitled "Compulsory Purchase and Compensation" listed below:

Booklet No. 1 - Compulsory Purchase Procedure.

Booklet No. 2 - Compensation to Business Owners and Occupiers.

Booklet No. 3 - Compensation to Agricultural Owners and Occupiers.

Booklet No. 4 - Compensation for Residential Owners and Occupiers.

The booklets are available to view and download for free online.

If you would more information about the CPO or the Project please contact National Grid’s appointed land agents, Fisher German (Joe Senior) by telephone on 07817119488 or by e-mail to [email protected].

Unsealed electronic copies of the CPO and Maps are available here for ease of viewing on this platform.

View our animations

Learn more about our project and how we work with communities

Where does your gas come from?

View our short film to find out.

Working with communities

Learn more about our project and how we work with communities.

Building our gas network

Find out how we build and maintain our essential gas network.

Project timeline

Find out what we're doing and when

Wormington to Honeybourne pipeline

Find out more about our work in this area

Churchover pipeline

Find out more about our work in this area

Upgrading our existing network

Find out about improvements we're making to existing assets

What is net zero?

Read our simple explanation

Future Grid

FutureGrid is an ambitious programme which seeks to build a hydrogen test facility in Northern England

Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)

Find out what LNG is and why we need it.

Future Energy Scenarios

Find out more about how the future of energy might look.

Network maps

Find out more about the UK’s gas transmission network.