FAQs
Government Announcement July 2023 – your questions answered
The tweet from Lord Callanan on 10th July on a preferred location for the trial does not equate to a final decision. However, we understand it to mean that Whitby is unlikely to be awarded the trial.
The tweet from Lord Callanan on 10th July on a preferred location for the trial does not equate to a final decision. However, we understand it to mean that Whitby is unlikely to be awarded the trial. We await information from Government as to next steps.
Yes, over the coming months, we will continue to engage with the local community. The Hydrogen Experience Centre and customer contact lines will remain open (https://hydrogenvillage.com/hydrogen-experience-centre-new-opening-hours/). Importantly, regardless of the Government’s decision on the preferred location for the trial, Cadent continues to operate in the area as Whitby’s local gas distribution network and we will continue to engage with our customers in the area on this basis.
Regardless of the Government’s decision on the preferred location for the trial, Cadent continues to operate in the area as Whitby’s local gas distribution network and we will continue to engage with our customers on this basis. Remember, if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide then call the National Gas Emergency Service line free on 0800 111 999. We are also looking at how the Hydrogen Experience Centre could be used to support the community in the future.
For further information on the proposed poll please visit the CWAC webite https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/councillors-and-committees/the-climate-emergency/proposed-hydrogen-village
Our Hydrogen Experience Centre and customer contact lines will remain open , with any future changes to be communicated clearly to local residents. Please call in to see us at the HEC or contact us on email or telephone to speak to a member of our team, who would be happy to help you with any questions.
Hydrogen Experience Centre – new opening hours – Whitby (hydrogenvillage.com)
We are awaiting a full update from Government regarding their decision-making.
Last year, Government invited all the gas networks to submit proposals on possible locations for the hydrogen town pilot, which is a milestone on the Government’s 10 Point Plan. In January, the gas networks made their submissions, including Cadent’s proposal for Ellesmere Port and another town in the East. We expect to hear more about these proposals later in the Summer. Given the importance and scale of delivering a hydrogen town pilot by 2030, it’s right that we start to plan for this now. A hydrogen town pilot is dependent on a positive outcome of the Government’s heat policy decision in 2026 on the potential role of hydrogen in decarbonising heating.
Yes. The Government has made a public announcement on its decision.
We appreciate that many residents will be disappointed that the programme will not be delivered in Whitby. However, the feedback we have gathered is important for understanding how customers feel about changes to how they heat their homes and we will continue to engage with the local community to understand your views.
Time and money spent has not been wasted. The evidence gathered as part of the programme has showed how the gas network and UK homes can be converted to hydrogen and the feedback given will play an invaluable role in exploring how we can heat homes and businesses in a more environmentally friendly way in the future.
British Gas will continue partnering with Cadent on a variety of different projects.
Please visit https://cadentgas.com/future-of-gas/hydrogen to keep up to date on the latest projects exploring how hydrogen could be used in the future
We will be asking residents to give feedback in a further research questionnaire. We will be in touch shortly with details of how to participate. The views of Whitby residents on hydrogen for homes are still important to the data and evidence Government is capturing.
The website will be available until at least the end of 2023, by which time we expect the Government to have made a final decision on the trial location. Any future changes will be communicated clearly and promptly to local residents.
In order to do this please contact to your local MP (https://members.parliament.uk/member/4418/contact) or the Government Department (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-desnz)
We will continue to keep in touch with the local community here in Whitby and remain committed to engaging with you as your local gas distribution network.
The Hydrogen Village Handbook distribution was scheduled prior to this announcement and was designed to give local residents information on the latest proposals for the project.
The Government chose to communicate their decision via Twitter. We are now working with the Government to understand the decision and to communicate with and support residents.