Hydrogen Village - Statement from Justin Madders MP

Whitby will no longer be considered as the location for the UK’s first hydrogen village trial.

Statement by Lord Martin Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero:

“After listening to the views of residents, it’s clear that there is no strong local support. Therefore Whitby will no longer be considered as the location for the UK’s first hydrogen village trial.”

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, said: 

“This decision has been inevitable for some time and I hope the Government and gas networks will learn from the mistakes that have been made in this process.

“It is clear that asking people to try experimental new forms of energy consumption for their homes will not work unless basic questions about safety, efficacy and cost can be answered from the start.

“It is also clear that leaving people with the impression that this was happening without their consent sent entirely the wrong message out about how we need to tackle climate change.

“We need written cast iron assurances that this is the end of the matter and that the people of Whitby and Ellesmere Port will not have foisted on them at some later date a hydrogen village, a hydrogen town or some other variant. Local people have had enough.”

Pictured - Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston.