A MASSIVE pipeline carrying a fifth of Britain's natural gas consumption will be buried under countryside near Ledbury, under plans published yesterday.

National Grid has revealed the route for the next section of its multi-million pipeline, 115-miles from Felindre, near Swansea, to Tirley, south of Tewkesbury.

Under the plan, the pipeline will skirt Dymock, Ryton, Redmarley and Staunton.

Up to 1,000 workers will be employed on the major engineering feat, which will link Milford Haven to the heart of England.

Project spokesman Diane Owen said the map provided by the firm showed the route corridor and not the precise line itself.

The corridor is 1km wide, even more in places, and National Grid will work with landowners to agree the best route.

The company will also carry out an environmental impact assessment, before applying for consent to build the pipeline.

The pipeline would be laid north of the M50 and pass under the motorway near Junction 3 at Gorsley.

Moving south, the pipeline would come no closer than 1km to the southern outskirts of Dymock, and slightly further away than that to the southern outskirts of Ryton.

It would be up to 2km to the south of Redmarley, before dropping to a similar distance below Staunton on its final stretch to Tirley.

National Grid said the aim would be to avoid centres of population, where possible.

The steel pipes will be four feet in diameter and will be buried to a depth of 1.2 metres. The company hopes that construction will take place during 2007.

"National Grid is committed to minimising the temporary construction impacts and to carry out the highest quality reinstatement on completion of the work," said project manager David Mercer.