• National Grid worked with Daubeney Fields Forever to create new parkland
  • Giant cable drum from London Power Tunnels project recycled to provide two round picnic tables

National Grid has teamed up with the local community in Hackney to help transform a disused car park into a pocket-sized park.

In recent months Daubeney Fields Forever, a collection of local community groups, has been hard at work creating the so called 'pocket park' in Daubeney Road and also installing community cycle pods and mini libraries in the area.

National Grid, whose flagship London Power Tunnels project is currently being built in the area, got involved in helping with the new park as part of its ongoing community outreach programme.

They arranged for one of their contractors Balfour Beatty to donate a large cable drum. Previously used to transport electricity cables for the new power tunnels the drum will now be cut in two and turned into large picnic tables for the park.

Work in the park has been coordinated by the Daubeney Fields User Group, which is part of Daubeney Fields Forever. User Group Chairman Gerry Tissier said: "We'll cut the cable drum in half to make two tables. They'll be the heart of our community garden providing a communal gathering point for local people to sit, talk and eat together.

"Thanks to National Grid we now have two giant round tables. Eat your heart out King Arthur!"

Local ward Councillor Rebecca Rennison commented: "The pocket park is a fantastic example of volunteers coming together to transform our public spaces - what was just a few months ago a disused stretch of tarmac is now an innovative and attractive place for local residents and their families to visit.

"The Daubeney Fields User Group and all those who worked with them must be congratulated on their efforts and thanks too must go to National Grid for providing such an unusual centrepiece for the park".

National Grid's London Power Tunnels project is creating a new underground energy superhighway which will help ensure Londoners remain connected to safe and reliable energy supplies in future years.

National Grid Lead Project Manager Dave Palser, said: "National Grid has an important job to do helping to keep Londoners connected to their power supplies and that's what we're doing with London Power Tunnels.

"We also think it's important to connect with the communities where we work and we're delighted to have been able to help out with the new pocket park in Daubeney Road."

For more information go to www.londonpowertunnels.co.uk

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Notes to Editors:

About National Grid

National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and has been named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.

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