Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

We're ahead of the green team

Emma Ferguson
15/ 5/2008

HEYWOOD is sat firmly on top of the environmentally-friendly tree – leading the country into a greener future.

Last week’s meeting of the Housing, Environment and Safety Theme Group was told that figures released by British Gas show the town as the place which has reduced its carbon footprint more than any other in England.

Following the meeting Deborah Beagin, manager of Heywood Housing Partnership (HHP), said the reduction was down to free work carried out to better insulate homes in the area, in conjunction with Hillserve Insulation and the ‘Here to Help’ initiative run by British Gas.

So, if you’re worrying about the effect your ‘bucket shop’ holiday flight will have on the environment, you may already have offset its effects thanks to works done on your house. The ‘green’ works included improving loft insulation, injecting cavity wall insulation and fitting hot water jackets around boilers.

Deborah said: "I am really pleased that Heywood has led the way on another important initiative.

"This reduction in the town’s carbon footprint shows how NDC funding, in partnership with other organisations, can have a huge impact where it really matters.

"Thanks to our partners, British Gas and Hillserve, we are now looking at ways we can deliver more energy efficiency initiatives."

A spokesman for British Gas said: "It’s a fantastic achievement for Heywood to be leading the way on emissions reduction as a result of the ‘Here to Help’ scheme.

"British Gas is extremely proud of the scheme, which has assisted thousands of elderly and vulnerable customers throughout the UK to make material improvements to their homes, reduce fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions."

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for the environment at Rochdale Council, said: "This is a great example of how by reducing our carbon footprint in the borough we also aim to help people financially and to make sure that they don’t fall into fuel poverty."

Jean Williams, HHP Board member, said "The benefit of working with British Gas, meant that the scheme could be rolled out across the whole of Heywood, which has increased the number of properties benefiting from reduced energy bills."

However, Deborah Beagin pointed out there was still some way to go as of the 1,137 houses surveyed by the partnership, only 627 had carried out any insulation measures.

Other work carried out by HHP since it was launched in October 2002 includes improving 1,264 terraced houses, rear alleyways, paths, adopted roads, street lighting for 240 houses, demolishing four shops and a house and giving away more than 2,000 energy efficient lightbulbs.

It has also brought £8M of investment to the town.

Deborah said: "I am really pleased that Heywood has led the way on another important initiative.

"This reduction in the town’s carbon footprint shows how NDC funding, in partnership with other organisations, can have a huge impact where it really matters.

"Thanks to our partners, British Gas and Hillserve, we are now looking at ways we can deliver more energy efficiency initiatives."

A spokesman for British Gas said: "It’s a fantastic achievement for Heywood to be leading the way on emissions reduction as a result of the ‘Here to Help’ scheme.

"British Gas is extremely proud of the scheme, which has assisted thousands of elderly and vulnerable customers throughout the UK to make material improvements to their homes, reduce fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions."

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for the environment at Rochdale Council, said: "This is a great example of how by reducing our carbon footprint in the borough we also aim to help people financially and to make sure that they don’t fall into fuel poverty."