Power firm pledges to restore Newbiggin’s green

A row over contractors using a village green to dump materials and waste on has taken a new twist.

Residents in Newbiggin were angered when contractors working for Northern Powergrid dumped spoil on their green earlier this month despite a pre-agreed area available a few yards away.

The firm is currently laying electrical cable from Newbiggin to Weardale along the C28 road for a project anticipated to take 13 months to complete.

The spoil has now been moved but the green has been left in a very poor state of repair.

The issue was raised at the latest meeting of Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council.

Councillors agreed that the council clerk should write to Northern Powergrid to express its “strong disappointment” at the damage done to the green.

The minutes from the meeting stated: “(It is) agreed that the parish council write to Northern Powergrid expressing its strong disappointment and dismay at the recent damage to Newbiggin village green at the start of major infrastructure works.

“And, to echo its full support for the request… already made by Raby Estates that the area be fully reinstated to a good quality following completion of the works.”

Prior to the parish council meeting, Northern Powergrid sent a statement to the Mercury claiming restoration work would take place to repair the village green.

A spokesman said: “We understand the concerns raised by residents in Newbiggin in Teesdale and we’re very grateful for their patience while this essential work has taken place.

“We have engaged with the contractors on site and can confirm the area has now been cleared of all spoil.

“Teams will be returning later this week to top-soil and seed the area to restore it to its former condition.

“Site management has been reviewed, and teams will be using the designated hard-standing area for any outstanding work.

“We want to further reassure residents that we are working to keep any impact to a minimum while delivering long term improvements to the reliability and resilience of the local electricity network.

“Anyone with concerns can contact our customer service team on 0800 011 3332.”

At time of writing, work to repair the damaged areas of the green had not started.