CANVEY campaigners have relaunched their campaign to block huge new gas storage tanks.

Calor Gas is reviving plans to store 108,000 tonnes of liquid natural gas on the island, the equivalent of 5 per cent of the country’s supply.

Action group People Against Methane, which successfully fought off earlier plans, says it will fight even harder than before to halt what it sees as a major threat to public safety.

Thurrock Development Corporation has approved plans for a 13-kilometre underground gas pipeline between the island and a gas installation at Stanford-le-Hope. It would also need approval from Castle Point Council.

The pipeline application is the first step towards reviving the plan for huge new storage tanks at Calor’s existing site in Thames Road, Canvey.

People Against Methane chairman George Whatley said: “It will be an even bigger fight this time.”

Castle Point MP Bob Spink said: “I am disappointed to hear Calor Gas has not let this go.

“The application will be rejected again because it imposes too severe risks on the local community.”

Calor and their partners LNG Japan and Osaka Gas have confirmed they are still interested in the Canvey scheme. Spokesman Andrew Ford said: “We are considering with our partners whether to reapply for the whole thing.”