News Beat
Electrical upgrade work in Darlington causes ‘chaos’ for residents
The work, carried out by Northern Powergrid as part of a £10 million town-wide upgrade to underground cabling, has been taking place in the Whinfield area and surrounding streets for about three weeks.
Many residents accept the upgrade is necessary, but say they were not told when it would begin, how long it would last, or how extensive it would be.
Councillor Andy Keir said residents feel they had been “completely left out of the loop” and added: “Clear communication before the works started would have made a huge difference.”
One resident said: “I was given no notice about any of this work. I just saw miles of green barriers down the road.”
Another added: “It’s awkward because we didn’t realise it was happening. Some information about the work would have helped.”
The condition of pavements and verges has also sparked anger amongst residents in the area.
Councillor Jamie Bartch said the work had torn up grass verges, and the pavements had been left as a “patchwork of tarmac and rubble”.
Cllr Bartch said: “The council and Whinfield Residents’ Association spent thousands of pounds planting daffodil bulbs across the ward. They’re a highlight in the spring, but many verges have been ripped up.
“We’ve not been told if or when they’ll be restored. The pavements are a patchwork of tarmac and rubble, and the verges will take a long time to grow back. It looks awful.”
The councillor said residents also reported footpath closures “forcing” pedestrians into the road, with one family saying their disabled child could not safely access the pavement.
Resident Peter Evans said the pavements, which get covered in mud from the work had now become a hazard for walkers.
He said: “I understand why the work is happening, but wish they would wash the pavements down. They’re slippery and unsafe, particularly for elderly people. Now it gets dark much earlier, that’s even more worrying.”
Safety for drivers has also been raised as a concern, due to the green barriers used for the work repeatedly blown onto the road during windy weather.
Cllr Bartch said: “The barriers keep blowing onto the road as there’s no weight to them. It’s dangerous for drivers and completely obstructs the road. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
The Councillors said they had not been given a clear timescale or indication from the works company of the full scale of the work.
Cllr Bartch said: “Initially, a few streets were listed, but the works are far more extensive. That lack of foresight has caused a lot of disruption.
“People understand this is a necessary job, but the lack of communication and poor restoration has caused so many complaints from residents here.”
In response, a spokesperson for Northern Powergrid said: “We are carrying out a £10millon investment scheme in Darlington to replace 37km of high voltage underground electricity cables to reinforce and future-proof the network.
“The route involves a number of main roads including Whessoe Road, Salters Lane North, Salters Lane South, Whinfield Road, Stockton Road and Haughton Road, plus ancillary roads.
“We have carried out reinstatement work outside of the Medical Centre on Whinbush Way, replacing damaged paving slabs and re-laying additional tarmac to keep the area tidy. We will assess the verges and consider topsoil and re-seeding next year when weather conditions allow.”
The spokesperson said that reinstatement of the current excavations was due to be completed by Friday (December 19), but yesterday (Sunday) residents said the pavement was “still a mess”.
Northern Powergrid added: “Work will resume on January 6, 2026, and residents in nearby properties will be notified by our contractor, Freedom, in advance of the works taking place, should they have any queries.
“Regular engagement also continues with Darlington Borough Council while we carry out this important investment, enhancing the reliability and resilience of the electricity supply for a third of the town’s homes and businesses.”
