A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the latest debacle to surround two unplugged electric car chargers.

Cllr Suzanne Fairless-Atkin said she was 'disappointed' the authorities could not decide who was responsible for the land in Wentworth Car Park in Hexham where two electric car charges sit unplugged.

The EV chargers were installed in September 2021 but work has stopped between a dispute between Northumberland Council and North Tyne council.

The last update in March offered some hope as they claimed 'progress was being made' but when The Hexham Courant asked again for a progress report, a  spokesman for Transport North East, said: “As part of the Go Ultra Low North East project it was agreed to install two rapid EV chargers at Wentworth Leisure Centre in Northumberland.

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"The chargers have been installed and we are working together with Northumberland County Council and Northern Powergrid to agree on the final legalities to enable electrical connection and commission the chargers.

“We apologise for the delay in bringing the chargers into operation, we are working with partners to do this as soon as possible.”

Responding to the latest update, Cllr Suzanne Fairless-Atkin said: "It's just a stuck record and very disappointing.

"Especially after the council leader and other officers recently reassured Hexham Councillors that 'progress has been made' in negotiations.

"The County's maps of land ownership are incredibly clunky and outdated - this is at the root of the problem. It should never have happened at all.

"Hexham is being left behind as other towns power forwards into a greener future."