Install second gas shutoff valve rather than move main one?

My gas shutoff valve and gas meter are currently in an in accesible location. I want to move the valve / meter up by approximately one metre so that it sits above the worktop. It appears that this needs to be done by National Grid and will set me back quite a lot of money. A friend that I get a qualified person to run the gas pipe up via the worktop and install a second shutoff valve. Is this a reasonable and safe alternative? My flat is on the 2nd floor of a 1950s ex-local authority block.