Latest news with #Metrocentre
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Miliband calls for car parks across Britain to be turned into solar farms
Ed Miliband has called for a massive expansion of solar power through the 'untapped potential' of Britain's car parks. In a consultation, the Energy Secretary is seeking views on how to spur the construction of solar panel canopies above parking spaces at supermarkets, offices and shopping villages. The idea is viewed as a win-win because it would make better use of sprawling car parks while also generating more green electricity, potentially lowering bills for businesses. Motorists would also benefit from more shaded parking spots and potentially a larger number of electric car charging stations, which could be powered directly by the panels, the Government said. It is understood that the consultation will seek to understand why such solar canopies are more common in Europe than in the UK and what can be done to encourage more to be built here. Ministers are thought to be considering whether measures used in Europe, which require outdoor car parks to have solar canopies, could be introduced. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, is seeking to step up the deployment of wind and solar farms - Zara Farrar /No 10 Downing Street Mr Miliband said: 'Right now, the sun is shining on hundreds of thousands of car parking spaces across the country which could be used to power our homes and businesses. 'We want to work with businesses and car park operators to turn our car parks into solar carports to save families and businesses money with clean, home-grown British energy through our Plan for Change.' It comes as Mr Miliband is seeking to ramp up the deployment of wind and solar farms across the UK to deliver the Government's promise of a 95pc clean power system by 2030. That will require the installed amount of solar capacity to jump from about 17GW (gigawatts) today to between 45GW and 47GW within just five years, according to the clean power action plan. Mr Miliband has approved nearly 3GW of new capacity since he was appointed Energy Secretary in July, enough to power about 1m homes. So-called solar carports and canopies are seen as yet another way for solar deployment to be boosted. In European countries such as France and Slovenia, such solar panel canopies are mandatory in car parks, the Government said. According to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, one 80-space car park could save about £28,000 a year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all electricity generated. One of the biggest existing schemes is at the Metrocentre shopping centre in Gateshead, which has more than 5,300 rooftop and carport solar panels. These provide 40pc of the site's annual electricity needs. Chris Hewett, chief executive of the trade association Solar Energy UK, welcomed the consultation but warned that grid connection issues across Britain were the real blocker to having more carports. 'Encouraging or mandating the creation of solar-roofed car parks would be another win-win for the industry, creating greater access to charging points, cutting bills for businesses, driving down emissions and creating jobs,' he said. 'What has held this back from happening already is largely a lack of capacity in local electricity networks to accept the power generated. 'Resolving that challenge is of critical importance, not just for solar car parks but to decarbonise warehouses, supermarkets, factories and hospitals, too.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Miliband calls for car parks across Britain to be turned into solar farms
Ed Miliband has called for a massive expansion of solar power through the 'untapped potential' of Britain's car parks. In a consultation, the Energy Secretary is seeking views on how to spur the construction of solar panel canopies above parking spaces at supermarkets, offices and shopping villages. The idea is viewed as a win-win because it would make better use of sprawling car parks while also generating more green electricity, potentially lowering bills for businesses. Motorists would also benefit from more shaded parking spots and potentially a larger number of electric car charging stations, which could be powered directly by the panels, the Government said. It is understood that the consultation will seek to understand why such solar canopies are more common in Europe than in the UK and what can be done to encourage more to be built here. Ministers are thought to be considering whether measures used in Europe, which require outdoor car parks to have solar canopies, could be introduced. Mr Miliband said: 'Right now, the sun is shining on hundreds of thousands of car parking spaces across the country which could be used to power our homes and businesses. 'We want to work with businesses and car park operators to turn our car parks into solar carports to save families and businesses money with clean, home-grown British energy through our Plan for Change.' It comes as Mr Miliband is seeking to ramp up the deployment of wind and solar farms across the UK to deliver the Government's promise of a 95pc clean power system by 2030. That will require the installed amount of solar capacity to jump from about 17GW (gigawatts) today to between 45GW and 47GW within just five years, according to the clean power action plan. Mr Miliband has approved nearly 3GW of new capacity since he was appointed Energy Secretary in July, enough to power about 1m homes. So-called solar carports and canopies are seen as yet another way for solar deployment to be boosted. In European countries such as France and Slovenia, such solar panel canopies are mandatory in car parks, the Government said. According to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, one 80-space car park could save about £28,000 a year in electricity bills by installing solar carports and using all electricity generated. One of the biggest existing schemes is at the Metrocentre shopping centre in Gateshead, which has more than 5,300 rooftop and carport solar panels. These provide 40pc of the site's annual electricity needs. Chris Hewett, chief executive of the trade association Solar Energy UK, welcomed the consultation but warned that grid connection issues across Britain were the real blocker to having more carports. 'Encouraging or mandating the creation of solar-roofed car parks would be another win-win for the industry, creating greater access to charging points, cutting bills for businesses, driving down emissions and creating jobs,' he said. 'What has held this back from happening already is largely a lack of capacity in local electricity networks to accept the power generated. 'Resolving that challenge is of critical importance, not just for solar car parks but to decarbonise warehouses, supermarkets, factories and hospitals, too.'
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
Sycamore Gap accused said it was 'just a tree', court told
Sycamore Gap accused said it was 'just a tree', court told Adam Carruthers said the reaction to the damage was 'almost as if someone had been murdered' The Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall (Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved ) One of the two men on trial accused of felling the famous Hadrian's Wall tree that stood in what was known as Sycamore Gap told a court it was "just a tree". Adam Carruthers told Newcastle Crown Court that he felt the reaction to the damage was 'almost as if someone had been murdered'. Prosecutors say Daniel Graham, 39, and mechanic Carruthers, 32, drove overnight to the Northumberland landmark during Storm Agnes and cut the tree down with a chainsaw. The pair deny two counts of criminal damage to the tree and to Hadrian's Wall, which was damaged when the tree fell on it. Carruthers said: 'On the morning I woke up I had looked online and it was all over Facebook. I was thinking 'What's going on here?'. It was everywhere. 'My understanding was it was just a tree, I couldn't understand why everyone was sharing it, every second post, it was about this tree. I just couldn't get my head round it. Article continues below 'The way it was travelling through the news, I was amazed how something so small could create so much publicity.' His barrister Andrew Gurney asked him he and Graham had been messaging each other about the story. In reply, he said: 'I couldn't really understand why there was such a major outbreak – it was almost as if someone had been murdered. 'Daniel was a friend of mine at the time. I sent it across, it was everywhere.' Carruthers said that on the night the tree was felled in September 2023 he was staying with his partner of 10 years because she had just given birth to their daughter and needed help looking after their two children. In cross-examination, Richard Wright KC, prosecuting, asked Carruthers: 'Is that what's at the heart of this? You thought it was 'just a tree', and when the rest of the world didn't think it was 'just a tree' and it was a terrible and wicked thing to have done, you've lost your bottle and can't own up to it?' Carruthers replied: 'That's not true.' Chris Knox, defending Graham, asked Carruthers why he told police he had not left Cumbria on the day the Sycamore Gap tree was cut down. Mr Knox told the court Carruthers had gone on a 'reconnoitre' that day and that his phone had been traced to cell sites in the afternoon going from his home in Kirkbride to Carlisle and then as far east as Haydon Bridge in Northumberland. Article continues below Carruthers said he and his partner had decided to take their children for a meal at the Metrocentre in Gateshead but turned the car around because their baby would not settle. He agreed with Mr Wright that that would have been a three-hour round trip. The trial continues.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Three months of Pride events return to North East this summer
The North East will once again host a summer of Pride celebrations, following a successful run of events last Gateshead and South Tyneside will host separate Pride festivals from June until the end of Darrant, chair of the charity Out North East, said organisers were looking forward to "delivering three memorable months of events". The series of events will begin in Sunderland on 7 June, and will come to a close on 30 August with a concert in Gateshead. David Alexander, principal and chief executive of Gateshead College, said this year's event was taking place in a "very special year", marking the 80th anniversary of said the 2024 event had been "truly inspiring" and brought together "so many people from our communities in a celebration of diversity". Pride In Sunderland will launch the summer of celebrations on 7 June at the city's Bridges shopping taking place across the month include drag bingo film screenings and Carl Austin-Behan OBE talking about his life as an advocate for LGBTQ+ military Sunderland festival will culminate with a concert in Keel Square on 28 will then move to South Tyneside in July, with a dog show and a concert among the planned activities. The Gateshead festival will kick off on 2 August at the Metrocentre, taking Pride activities into their third of the festival will include a town centre takeover, a bowling tournament and the 5k-colour run. Local authorities have welcomed the return of Pride Alison Smith, portfolio holder for corporate services and equalities at Sunderland City Council, said she was "proud to see another great celebration".Councillor Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, said the local authority was "delighted" to see the event's comeback. "Events like these allow people of all backgrounds to come together in unity, solidarity and friendship, embrace and celebrate our wonderful LGBTQ+ community and promote a culture of acceptance, inclusivity and diversity," said Dixon. Councillor Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said it was going to be "another really exciting month" for the town. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Telling Tales podcast brings Tyne Derwent Way stories to life
Stories connected to historic sites along the River Tyne are being told in a new podcast Tales sees local people join forces with historians as they focus on the nine-mile (14km) Tyne Derwent Way, which starts in Gateshead and runs to the National Trust's Gibside estate in the Derwent spots along the route include St Mary's Heritage Centre, which has been hit by several fires and is the burial spot of a convicted Faraji, heritage engagement officer for Tyne Derwent Way, said the series "provides a bridge from the past to the present". Each of the six episodes details a different site with other notable landmarks including the Grade II-listed Dunston Staiths, a wooden pier-like runway that was used to tip millions of tons of coal into the cargo holds of huge of former workers' have been used to outline their typical working recent developments and events are also featured including the 1980s-built Metrocentre shopping mall and the Gateshead Garden Festival staged in 1990. 'So accessible' The series came about through community engagement workshops with more than 150 people taking part, Miss Faraji said."The main thought aim was preserving heritage and memories - providing a bridge from the past to the present - and we thought the best way to do that was through a podcast because they're so accessible."It's given an opportunity for people to share their memories and we've also got historians in each episode along with people like Sir John Hall, the developer of the Metrocentre."The series can also be used as an audio guide by anyone walking the Tyne Derwent Way." All 40-minute episodes are available following a launch event at the heritage one is narrated by a teenager chosen through a competition with The Drop In youth project which provides activities for youngsters in the Dunston and Teams areas of by Historic England, the series has also involved organisations such as the National Trust, Newcastle and Northumbria universities, Gateshead College and local schools. Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
