Latest news with #Northfleet
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Kimberly-Clark signs Barrow and Northfleet hydrogen contract
Tissue maker Kimberly-Clark has signed a £125m contract with two hydrogen facilities to reduce the amount natural gas used in its production lineThe Andrex and Kleenex producer signed a long-term deal receive hydrogen from the upcoming Carlton Power facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and the HYRO plant in Northfleet, Kent, which are expected to be operational in facilities have already secured funding and planning permission and will be built near existing Kimberly-Clark company said that, as a result of the deal, from 2027 it expected to see a 50% reduction to its 2024 consumption of natural gas across its UK production lines. The new facilities will produce and store hydrogen for the exclusive use of would replace fossil-fuel natural gas used for steam generation in the manufacture of toilet and facial tissues, the company said it expected construction on the plants to start in early 2026 and for the projects to be fully operational in the first half of added that the deals would help provide commercial security to the new for Barrow and Furness Michelle Scrogham said it was "great news for the area"."The Barrow hydrogen scheme is expected to employ around 200 people during its construction and around 10 people full-time once in operation," she comes as the government confirmed that a total of ten hydrogen projects it has helped fund across the country, including those in Barrow and Northfleet, had signed contracts and could proceed to becoming operational. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Labour-run council orders tenants to remove balcony washing lines
Tenants at a council-owned block of flats in Kent have criticised new rules that restrict washing lines and furniture on their balconies. Labour-controlled Gravesham borough council cited concerns about 'combustible' materials on the outside of properties in Northfleet as its reason for imposing the regulations. But residents have complained that the order, which also covers balcony furniture, is 'unreasonable'. Tracy, 45, who did not wish to give her surname, said the council told the residents to 'take everything off' their balconies because of 'fire safety'. 'More emphasis on fire risks' She said one family over the road from her had been told to take their washing lines down, adding: 'At the end of the day, they are saying plastic chairs can combust... Have you ever seen a plastic chair combust? 'I have a chair and table on my balcony, and I've already had to take my wooden fence down because [the council] said they would take it down and charge me if I didn't. I'm paying for a balcony I can't use.' The council said in a statement that 'more emphasis is being placed on the risk of external fire spread' following the Grenfell Tower tragedy of 2017. But resident Steve Reely, 61, said the new rules were 'petty'. He said: '[The council] leave lots of rubbish all over town but we have to keep our balconies clean. In some respects, it's petty. It's like someone is trying to justify their job. 'There are greater fire risks than our personal balconies. It's ridiculous.' Residents said a letter from the council states that items such as 'screening around metal fencing, belongings made of wood, plastic, textiles and any other materials' are a 'fire risk', and they had been instructed to remove them immediately. Karen Noakes, 57, said: 'All I've got on my balcony is a kid's bike and scooter and two washing lines. What's the problem with that? They're not a fire hazard. She suggested she would remove her washing lines 'if the council are going to pay for me to use my dryer'. A council spokesman said: 'Our tenants and leaseholders have recently been contacted by us regarding fire safety issues particularly around balconies. 'During fire risk assessments carried out at Shepherd Street, our assessors found numerous balconies with combustible screening fitted, which could allow flames to spread vertically up the building, and advised the screening should be removed. 'Since the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, much more emphasis is being placed on the risk of external fire spread.' Advice from fire chiefs The spokesman added that the National Fire Chiefs Council advises against 'barbecues, fire pits, patio heaters, or chimneys on balconies, and recommends keeping balconies free from clutter, combustible materials, and flammable items'. 'We have recently updated our building safety advice for tenants, which includes advice on balcony fire safety and a comprehensive but not exhaustive list of items that have the potential to cause or help the spread of fire, and which are therefore not permitted on balconies,' the spokesman said. They added that requests to residents 'to keep their balconies clear of flammable material and clutter' is intended to 'minimise the risk' of serious incidents.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fire continues to rage at scrap yard in Gravesend
More than two dozen firefighters continue to tackle a blaze at a scrap yard in Kent which broke out more than 24 hours Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) said it was called to the London Scrap Terminal in Northfleet Mill in Crete Hall Road, Gravesend, shortly after 02:00 BST on Tuesday morning, 25 fire fighters were still working to put out the "deep seated" fire, which has seen an estimated 5,000 tonnes of scrap metal caught fire service is asking residents nearby to keep windows closed as there is heavy smoke in the area. The fire service is using a high-volume pump to take water from the nearby estuary to tackle the Chaston, from KFRS, said: "We working really hard, with great help from the on-site staff using their heavy machinery, to work our way into the hotspots."Mr Chaston said he expects crews to remain at the scrap yard until "at least tomorrow"."From there, it's really about how quickly we can work our way into the pile," he cause of the fire is currently unknown, Mr Jones added.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Kent hospice garden transformation by Chelsea designer
A Kent-based garden designer, who is about to display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time, is in the process of transforming a hospice Fenton, from Gravesend, is creating a "peaceful, sustainable sanctuary for patients, family and staff" at ellenor, a charity in neighbouring new space will feature a memorial wall for grieving families, accessible pathways and pollinator-friendly planting, the charity Fenton said the project was about "creating a space that gives people comfort when they need it most". He said: "A garden can offer peace, connection, and time to reflect - and that's what we've tried to create together."The project is being supported through government funding as part of a nationwide initiative to improve hospice facilities across the latest collaboration builds on a project in 2023, when the designer created a smaller therapeutic garden at the on the final phase of the scheme is due to begin after Mr Fenton has displayed at Chelsea later this month. Bob Shepherd, maintenance supervisor at ellenor, said: "I'm really looking forward to working on the garden project. "I look forward to seeing the new garden finished and being enjoyed by patients and staff. "We're a small team and this project will help highlight some of the important work that often happens behind the scenes."
