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Keep safe and warm this winter

Portsmouth City Council has launched its Winter Warmth Campaign with a series of roadshows around the city.

Rising energy bills and poor insulation have resulted in an estimated 5,300 Portsmouth households facing fuel poverty, where 10% of income is spent on heating and hot water.

The Winter Warmth Campaign, launched in 2006 to tackle the problem of excess winter deaths, provides residents with practical and financial information to help them cope with the cold British winter.

Depending on individual circumstances and incomes, residents could have some or all of their central heating installation paid for. Grants for insulation are available to all residents, including private homeowners and landlords, and the work is carried out by professional, reliable contractors following an individual home visit.

The Winter Warmth roadshows will visit areas where there are high proportions of homes that are inadequately heated. A recent survey indicated that there are around 18,200 in the city. The roadshows will run from 10am – 2pm at the following locations until early November:

• Thursday 18 September Portsmouth, Commercial Road
• Thursday 25 September Cosham Precinct outside Tesco
• Thursday 2 October Copnor, Tangier Road outside the library
• Thursday 9 October North End, London Road near Somerfield
• Thursday 16 October Southsea Precinct on Stanley Street
• Thursday 23 October Fratton Asda
• Thursday 30 October Drayton, Havant Road at Station Road/Portsdown Avenue
• Thursday 6  November Southsea, Devonshire Square by the Co-Op

Councillor Steven Wylie, Cabinet Member for Housing said: “We welcome these annual roadshows which provide essential support to all the city's homeowners, not only the most vulnerable residents. Our friendly and experienced staff are on hand to give practical advice about the range of services available. We can offer grants and low-cost, fixed rate loans which we hope will encourage people to make their homes safer and more energy-efficient.”

Date : 23 September 2008

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