Teaming up to tackle fuel poverty in Mansfield

helping our community in your area

  • Mansfield District Council has joined forces with Cadent and Affordable Warmth Solutions (AWS) in a fuel poverty initiative for homes in Mansfield Woodhouse
  • Gas network Cadent has invested £175,000 installing new gas connections to more than 100 homes in Newcastle Street, Newhaven Avenue, Sherwood Street and Cross Street
  • Mansfield MP Ben Bradley gets first hand insight into warm homes project
 Cheaper, cleaner gas central heating is in the pipeline for residents in Mansfield Woodhouse, thanks to a project to connect more than 100 homes to the gas network.

Mansfield District Council, local gas network Cadent and community interest company AWS have joined forces to banish chilly homes, cut energy bills and replace ageing coal-fired heating with modern gas central heating.

Cadent and AWS have begun work on the £175,000 project to lay new gas pipes to homes in Newcastle Street, Newhaven Avenue, Sherwood Street and Cross Street. The work is being funded by Cadent as part of its commitment to tackle the underlying issues of fuel poverty.

With the pipes in the ground, Mansfield District Council will schedule the installation of new gas heating systems in people’s homes this winter and then decommission the ageing coal-fired boiler house.

In an ongoing programme since 2011, the council has been upgrading its tenants’ heating systems. Cadent has funded the installation of mains gas pipes to almost 1,500 council properties through its partnership with AWS, with the council spending around £3,500 on each council home to convert the domestic heating and make good any repairs.

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley got a first-hand insight into the project today (Wednesday 8 August). Mr Bradley was taken on a tour of the works by Councillor Barry Answer, Mansfield District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, and AWS Managing Director Jeremy Nesbitt.

Commending the project, Mr Bradley said: “It is really positive to see this investment, particularly for deprived communities in Mansfield. This project ensures residents are benefiting from modern, efficient, 21st century heating systems, saving money for both them and council tax payers.”

Explaining the benefits of the project, Councillor Barry Answer, Mansfield District Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “The new gas fired central heating will provide our tenants with more control over their own heating and save them money – on average about £200 a year. Two residents who have previously benefitted from the same upgrade have each seen savings of about £600 a year. These are significant savings and will make a real difference.

“There are lots of benefits including a reduction in CO2 emissions, a reduced cost to the council for maintenance and operation of the system as well as better control and a more modern, efficient and reliable system for tenants.”

Leigh Page, Cadent’s Commercial Services Manager, added: “We’re very proud to be working with Mansfield District Council and AWS to benefit those who need our help most in Mansfield. Since 2008, through Ofgem’s Fuel Poverty Network Extension Scheme, we’ve connected 39,000 households across the country to the gas network.”

Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of AWS, said: “We were delighted to show Mr Bradley the benefits of this project. AWS has a long and positive working relationship with Mansfield District Council -  this is the fifth time we have worked together to install new gas infrastructure and heating systems to keep residents safe and warm.”

Since 2011, Mansfield District Council has been replacing its coal and gas fired communal district heating systems with modern gas fired central heating systems in its tenants’ homes. Out of a total of 2,200 properties, 1,850 have already been disconnected from communal heating and connected to an individual gas supply.

Private home owners who are attached to the district heating scheme and have bought their properties will not be left out. The council will offer to install the new heating to their homes, which they can pay for with a zero percent interest loan. The cost of the heating upgrade is then paid back to the council when the property is sold.

Established in 2008, AWS is a Community Interest Company that helps support households by offering qualifying customers:
  • New gas connections to those not currently connected to the Cadent gas distribution network
  • Income maximisation, energy efficiency and tariff advice.
 Cadent set up its partnership with AWS under its previous trading name of National Grid Gas prior to Cadent being formed in 2017. Since its inception the partnership has helped lift many thousands of households out of fuel poverty.
 
For more information on AWS and to find out how AWS and Cadent are tackling fuel poverty visit www.affordablewarmthsolutions.org.uk or call 0121 592 018.

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy.  We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change.  Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency.   Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing. 

Future of Gas: Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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Media contacts

Rebecca Wright

rebecca.wright1@cadentgas.com

07899 983792