As part of its ongoing £8.2 million investment works in Epworth and Haxey to ensure the local community has a safe and reliable power supply both now and in the future, Northern Powergrid has also contributed to the fitness of the community as a whole by working with Epworth Town Council to fund the installation of eight pieces of outdoor gym equipment at the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field at Kings Head Croft, Epworth.
Northern Powergrid is the company responsible for the electricity distribution network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. In February 2022 the company began a major scheme of work in the area designed to provide the community with the increased capacity it will need as the population grows and people become more reliant on electricity to work, travel and heat their homes. The scheme of work involves the installation of 6.6km of new underground cables between two existing substations at Epworth and Haxey which are both being upgraded.
Steve Crawford, Northern Powergrid’s Senior Project Manager, explained: “It’s very positive for Epworth and Haxey that this investment is being made now, but we know our work can be disruptive, especially when we need to close roads or use multi-way traffic lights while we dig in the highway.
“Where we can, we like to be able to give something back to the communities we impact with our works, and when we asked Epworth Town Council if they had a community project we could support, they flagged up the idea of this accessible new equipment which is available for the whole community to benefit from.”
The new fitness equipment includes a rower, slalom skier, health walker, arm and pedal bicycle, double pull up bars, push/pull down challenger, a squat push and parallel rails.
Cllr Caroline Finch, Chairwoman of Epworth Town Council, said: “We’re very grateful that as well as ensuring our power network is fit for the future, Northern Powergrid is also helping local people stay that way as individuals too.”
The first stage of Northern Powergrid’s underground cabling work will be completed by the end of 2022, with some associated work due to be carried out in the area from late Spring 2023. Building work at Haxey substation has been completed and building work at Epworth will be finished by the end of the year, with new electrical equipment due to be installed at both locations between now and summer 2023.
Northern Powergrid is also working with Haxey Parish Council, with further details to be announced in the near future.
To find out more about how Northern Powergrid supports its customers beyond its network that powers their everyday lives, visit northernpowergrid.com/force-for-good.
Support can include everything from making a positive contribution to communities, to creating a cleaner, greener energy system that everyone can benefit from. The network operator also partners with a range of organisations who can support customers who may need energy advice, have money worries or want to reduce their energy costs from their chosen electricity supplier.
Northern Powergrid also has a free Priority Services Membership for customers who may need extra advice or support due to their medical or personal circumstances. Visit northernpowergrid.com/care or call 0800 169 2996 to find out more about how to join.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the investment in Epworth and Haxey’s power network can contact Northern Powergrid’s customer care team by emailing generalenquiries@northernpowergrid.com or by calling 0800 011 3332. The network operator is also available 24/7 on Facebook or Twitter.
