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News Report Page 7 of 14
Publication Date:-
2020-04-05
News reports located on this page = 2.

SP Energy Network is keeping the electricity flowing throughout the COVID-19 crisis

SP Energy Networks has revealed contingency plans to ensure homes and businesses in Southport and the rest of the Liverpool City Region, maintain their electricity supply throughout the Coronavirus crisis.

The plans being implemented by the electricity distributor also introduce special measures to protect supply for critical national infrastructure and public service sites; including:- Hospitals, Nursing Homes, food supply chain businesses, Ministry of Defence sites and prisons.

The UK has one of the most reliable electricity networks in the world and contingency plans developed by SP Energy Networks alongside other network operators, Government and electricity regulator Ofgem will ensure power continues to flow throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Other major changes that SP Energy Networks is putting in place include:-

Rapid installation of new connections that will support the containment of COVID-19 including connections for:- Hospitals, Care Homes, Nursing Homes, water treatment works and food supply chain business.

A commitment to continue any critical maintenance and repair work that secures the resilience of the electricity network in the short and medium term to keep the power flowing; prioritising power cuts and urgent safety issues.

Postponement or cancellation of new network upgrade projects that involve planned interruption of power for customers; unless it assists the restoration of power supply or if not conducting the work poses a danger to the public/ staff/ contactors or it supports short or medium term resilience requirements.

Deployment of teams to undertake connections projects that will provide additional resilience to the local or national electricity network; such as additional generation capacity to provide more electricity where it is needed.

These changes will be implemented with immediate effect for SP Energy Network's 3.5million customers across Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, North Shropshire, and Central and Southern Scotland.

As a critical operational business, SP Energy Networks has already established social distancing measures and rolled out additional processes for critical frontline operational staff and control centre teams who cannot undertake their key roles from home to ensure they can maintain operations in the event of a localised outbreak of Coronavirus.

Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks said:- "We have 1 of the most reliable energy networks in the world and our top priority throughout the COVID-19 crisis will be to keep the power flowing for our customers in Southport while ensuring critical national infrastructure sites receive the electricity supply they need. We've already put huge changes in place to keep our staff safe and redeployed them on priority projects that will support the UK's national effort to tackle the Coronavirus. If you see us outside your home or we visit your property during the Coronavirus emergency, please be assured we are there because it is critical. It's absolutely essential our network holds up against storms and high winds so our teams are working to maintain and strengthen the resilience of the network we all rely on to take us through this storm season and beyond. We know that now, more than ever you are relying on us to keep you safe and warm by ensuring the power continues to flow and we are committed to doing just that."

Customers who have received a letter from the NHS advising them that they are:- 'at risk' and should take additional measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 are being advised to sign up for the Priority Services Register. This provides free additional services to customers in vulnerable circumstances if there is an unexpected power cut. They should sign up at:- SPEnergyNetworks.Co.U or text:- 'PSR' to:- 61999.  In the event of a power cut, customers should call the:- 'National Power 105 Hotline' no matter who they pay their bill to.


Councils will be facing a 'tide wave of waste' over rubbish collections after the lockdown

THE District Councils' Network has concerns that a:- "wave of waste" will emerge from households in the coming weeks, as families generate more waste and recycling while rightly staying safe at home and in some cases, as a result of having stocked up with food and other goods they need.

It wants residents to work with their Local Council to best manage bin collections.

This coincides with some Councils having to reduce certain waste services, such as garden waste collections, as a result of many waste collection staff needing to self isolate or to recover from illness.

In some cases, Councils have also closed recycling centres as part of social distancing measures to discourage non-essential travel.

DCN, which represents 191 district Councils in England that are responsible for collecting waste, is calling on residents to work with their Local Council to manage:- "a perfect storm" of growing levels of rubbish coinciding with challenges for Councils in collecting it.

It says that while many will be using the current period as an opportunity to spring clean their home or do some gardening, residents are asked to be mindful of how and where they dispose of their waste.

Around the country waste collectors have been inundated with positive messages of support from communities as they go about collecting household waste.

District Councils are now advising households to consider how they can store waste or arrange for it to be safely collected during the current restrictions, and is issuing the following guidance to residents:-

Contact your Council to see if they are still operating paid for bulky waste collection.

Private companies offer this as well but people need to check any company they use is properly registered for handling waste by the Environment Agency.

Try and compost any garden waste at home.

Cut down cardboard boxes so they can be put into the appropriate recycling bin; this makes life much easier for waste collection staff.

Store any excess waste from DIY projects, spring cleans or garden waste at home until it can be disposed of safely and legally.

DCN is also urging residents against burning rubbish on bonfires, especially hazardous waste, following a spate of incidents across the country that contribute to air pollution and disturbance for neighbours who may be self isolating.

Cllr Dan Humphreys, DCN Lead Member for Enhancing Quality of Life, said:-
"These are challenging times for everyone in the country right now, and all of our public services are being overstretched as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. While most of the nation is quite rightly in isolation, and able to work from home, our refuse collectors continue to go out to empty people's bins and dispose of their waste. Alongside many other frontline services, the efforts of our waste collection staff should be applauded, as they are playing a key role in helping to keep the country running during this difficult period. Make no mistake, Councils and their contractors have plans in place to try and ensure that everyone's bins are collected. But we would ask the public to play their part, too. Where possible we would ask residents to think twice about how much waste is put out; such a small step could make a huge difference. With millions safely staying at home, many producing more waste than normal, and a risk that our waste collection workforce suffers staff shortages, we have to be careful and prepared to manage a potential wave of waste. Councils are doing all they can, and we want to thank the public for helping us during this tricky period."

 
      
 
   
 
 
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