Community leaders have praised National Grid for the way it has worked with local people while upgrading overhead power lines between Tilbury, West Thurrock and Littlebrook.

The essential work will help ensure the region continues to enjoy safe, secure and reliable electricity supplies, and has been carried out by the Electricity Alliance East a partnership between National Grid and Balfour Beatty.

Engineers have kept local people informed throughout the project and have also supported community initiatives.

The Chafford Hundred Community Forum received a donation of £4,500 to buy outdoor park furniture for Rainbow Road Park, a new outdoor community facility.  A further donation of £1000 was given to the North Stifford Village Community Group to fund a historic village sign.

Praising National Grid’s community minded approach to work, Thurrock’s newly-appointed Deputy Mayor Councillor Tunde Ojetola, said: “I want to thank National Grid and all the staff involved in the electricity works in Chafford Hundred. I found the workers very positive and open to dialogue with the residents. I also appreciated the contribution made to Chafford Community Forum and the work in North Stifford.”

Philomena Cleavely, chair of the Chafford Hundred Community Forum, said: “We would like to thank everyone at National Grid and the Electricity Alliance East on behalf of Chafford Hundred residents for keeping disruption in the local area to a minimum while working on the pylons.”

Andrea Winterflood, Play and Open Space Manager at Thurrock Council, said: “With the donation from the Electricity Alliance we were able to purchase some much needed toddler equipment for the new park which is being built in Chafford Hundred. 

“The park will be fully opened by July 2011 as we raise additional funding and it will provide a welcome open space on this estate for all families to use.”

National Grid Overhead Line Project Engineer Peter Bullen said: “We would like to thank all the local residents, councillors, community representatives and businesses for their patience and cooperation.

“The bulk of the work on this project has now been completed, although we will return in 2011 to finish some outstanding minor works on a few pylons.”

Ends

For further media information only, please contact Antony Quarrell, National Grid Media Relations, on 01926 655322

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