A council has announced they are bringing two 'idle' and 'useless' electric vehicle chargers in a carpark to 'operation soon' after trying to resolve a land ownership dispute.

Last year, two rapid EV chargers were installed at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham by Transport North East, a sector of North Tyne council.

The chargers were installed as part of the 'Go Ultra Low North East' campaign and were hoped to reduce car emissions but also to promote the use of electric vehicles in Northumberland.

Despite being installed, the two chargers have been left disconnected to power and unusable due to a land dispute.

Several months on the Hexham Courant asked for an update on the matter.

A spokesperson said: “Transport North East continues to work with partners, including Northumberland County Council and Northern Powergrid to bring the Wentworth chargers into operation as soon as possible. We are working to enable final connections to be made and will provide an update on the expected timeframe for opening as soon as we are able to do so.”

Local Hexham councilor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken is wanting to see work done rather than hearing promises.

"I have heard that the solution is on the way...but I won't believe it until I see them working," She says.

"There's more legal red tape at County Hall than there is in Dickens' 'Bleak House'...miles and miles of it.

"As the prices of gas and oil continue to fluctuate we know how much we need these sustainable alternatives more than ever."