North West business briefs: Electricity North West; Merseyrail; Vectar Project; HMRC; CMAC Group

A major section of Cumbria’s power network is to be upgraded as part of a multimillion-pound project helping improve reliability as electricity demand increases. Stockport-based Electricity North West, which operates the power network throughout the county, has commenced work on its £3.4m scheme from Carlisle to Morton Park.

The project, which will benefit more than 11,000 properties throughout the city and surrounding areas, will see teams of engineers install eight kilometres of new 33,000-volt underground electricity cables and once complete and energised, the current overhead power network spanning 14km will be removed. Initial works have now started which includes excavating and the laying of ducts where the cables will eventually sit.

George Manton, who is overseeing the project for Electricity North West, said: “This is a huge project for the city of Carlisle and the surrounding areas. The work, part of our annual investment programme, is very complex, the new underground cables will replace ageing overhead lines and will provide a secure supply a generation.

“We have been working with a team of specialist delivery partners and following months of planning and initial trial hole works taking place last year, we’re now delighted to get going and once the work is complete it will have major long term benefits for the people of the city and its surrounding areas.”

Work on the project is expected to last 12 months.

George Manton added: “This is a major project for Carlisle, unfortunately this work will cause some disruption, but we’ll keep it to a minimum and I thank everybody for their cooperation, patience and support.”

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Merseyrail trains

Merseyrail has announced changes to its services due to the impact of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, which has led to an increase in staff being absent.

Services on all lines on the Merseyrail network will change to a 30-minute service from January 17, until further notice. It is hoped that by taking these measures the operator will be able to avoid last minute cancellations and give passengers time to adjust their travel plans where needed.

Prior to this, between January 10 and 16, there will be pre-planned cancellations in place on the Merseyrail network. Andy Heath, Merseyrail managing director, said: “Our staff have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that we can provide a safe and reliable service to the people of the Liverpool City Region.

“However, as is the case on other parts of the UK rail network, the Omicron variant has significantly increased the number of front line staff being absent from work. This means that we need to reduce the number of trains we run to ensure that our services remain reliable.

“I would advise all customers to check our website and social media feeds before they travel, and we will continue to work hard to provide the best service that we can.”

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A prison cell door made of cardboard

A Greater Manchester studio boss is challenging the film and TV industry to clean up its act by switching to cardboard sets. If it’s adopted, it could save millions of tonnes of carbon waste globally each year.

Tom Henderson, from The Vectar Project, said: “Our industry does amazing work in increasing awareness of the climate crisis, but often has no alternative but to add to the damage. Every year we build thousands of studio sets from wood and MDF, then dump them the moment the shoot is over. It makes me and others in the industry sick to see how much we waste, but there is another solution.”

At his studio in Stockport, Tom and partner Chris have developed a way to build cardboard sets as strong as wood, but using a fraction of the materials. Cheaper, faster to build and up to 90% lower carbon footprint and 100% recyclable back to paper. He said: “We can build almost anything – we’ve got a train carriage from the Hogwarts Express, Sherlock Holmes’ study, a bombed out house, a BATMan Cave set and 10 Downing Street – all made out of cardboard.”

After 20 years in the film business, Tom is working with internationally renowned cardboard artist Chris Gilmour to transform how the industry builds a studio set. Their sets have been used already in TV commercials and a four-part drama for ITV/BBC.

The Vectar Project has moved beyond making cardboard sets and is now offering tools, skills and education, too. Chris, currently taking his PHD in sustainable design, has just completed a section on cardboard set building for the Theatre Group national curriculum and working with Screenskills (HMG nation training body for the Film Industry) to have the tools available to cover all university and apprenticeship standards: “We’re not trying to corner the market here,” says Tom. “We want to build a different future and collaborate with other players in the industry to stop the waste.”

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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is waiving late filing and late payment penalties for self assessment taxpayers for one month – giving them extra time, if they need it, to complete their 2020/21 tax return and pay any tax due.

It is encouraging taxpayers to file and pay on time if they can, as the department reveals that, of the 12.2 million taxpayers who need to submit their tax return by January 31, 2022, almost 6.5 million have already done so.

HMRC recognises the pressure faced this year by self assessment taxpayers and their agents. COVID-19 is affecting the capacity of some agents and taxpayers to meet their obligations in time for the January 31, deadline. The penalty waivers give taxpayers who need more time to complete and file their return online and pay the tax due without worrying about receiving a penalty.

The deadline to file and pay remains January 31, 2022. The penalty waivers will mean that anyone who cannot file their return by the January 31, deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by February 28, and anyone who cannot pay their self assessment tax by the January 31, deadline will not receive a late payment penalty if they pay their tax in full, or set up a Time to Pay arrangement, by April 1. Interest will be payable from February 1, as usual, so it is still better to pay on time if possible.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s deputy chief executive and second permanent secretary, said: “We know the pressures individuals and businesses are again facing this year, due to the impacts of COVID-19. Our decision to waive penalties for one month for self assessment taxpayers will give them extra time to meet their obligations without worrying about receiving a penalty.”

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Peter Slater

CMAC Group, the Accrington-based managed ground transport company, has announced that it exceeded one million bookings in 2021.

The business completed 1,110,636 journeys in the UK and Europe last year, despite travel restrictions being in place throughout the 12 month period.

Responsible for safely moving almost two million travellers annually across the UK and overseas, on behalf of clients such as the Home Office, Northern and G4S, CMAC ensures that the transport experience remains unrivalled.

Peter Slater, CMAC Group CEO, said: “Despite a challenging period for many businesses, we’re very proud to be able to continue supporting our clients and their customers during another successful year.

“This milestone is a significant achievement and testament to the total commitment shown by our team and our valued suppliers to keep people and businesses moving safely at a pivotal time.”