Vauxhall's factory at Ellesmere Port is to be one of four plants in Europe that will build the new Astra.
Homeowners who plan to tackle home improvement projects are urged to be aware of building regulations, which if not complied with, could result in a massive £5,000 fine and a property they can't sell.
Part P of the Building Regulations, effective since 1st January 2005, requires most electrical work in the home to be carried out by a government-approved electrician. Its aim is to stop the rising number of deaths from faulty electrics, much of which is undertaken by over ambitious DIY enthusiasts and cowboy electricians.
Under the new law, homeowners are still able to replace accessories such as light switches and sockets to an existing circuit, although there are exceptions for locations such as kitchens and bathrooms.
An electrician registered under a government-approved scheme must undertake all other work. The alternative, for DIY'ers, is to notify a local building control body before starting any work and pay the appropriate fee for an inspection and a certificate after work is completed.
Homeowners are protected from dangerous electrics, as a competent electrician will provide them with a certificate once they've completed the work. If you don't get a certificate or do the work yourself without getting it checked, you will not only be sitting on a potential electrical time bomb, but committing a criminal offence too. The local authority can order the removal or correction of any work and if necessary fine you.
Failure to comply could also make it difficult to sell your house in the future. It is likely that electrical installation certificates are to be included in the government's proposed home sellers' packs. These are designed to offer prospective buyers reassurance and peace of mind about the safety of homes being offered for sale.
Previously, electricians have never been regulated despite faulty electrics causing an average of 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths each year.
The electrical industry is advising homeowners to make sure they only employ government-approved electricians.
The Government has approved the following Part P self-certification schemes:
1.BRE / ECA telephone 01923 664100 www.partp.co.uk
2.British Standards Institution, telephone 020 8996 900 www.kitemarktoday.com
3.ELECSA Limited, telephone 0870 749 0080 www.elecsa.org.uk
4.NICEIC Certification Services Ltd telephone 0800 013 0900www.niceic.org.uk
5.NAPIT Certification Ltd telephone 0870 4441392 www.napit.org.uk
