Skip to content

District Council votes for charging points in its car parks: part two

  • by JW

… with a push for more by the town and county councils.

Charge points appear in the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan.

.

The District Council has been keen to promote electric vehicles – with a decision mid-2019:

District Council votes for charging points in its car parks – Vision Group for Sidmouth

.

At the end of last month, a special forum set up to look at the possibilities reported:

.

Plans to look at using council car parks for evening entertainment and to install electric charging points revealed

This is one of a number of exciting projects, recommended for approval or investigation by the authority’s ‘Car Parking Task and Finish Forum’ (TAFF).

An investigation into how the car parks can be used at off peak times, such as the occasional evening cinema, farmers market or car boot sales has also been recommended by TAFF. It is hoped it could generate additional income while also providing exciting services that residents and visitors can enjoy, although mindfulness would be needed so it does not encroach on existing businesses.

As well as this, the TAFF are keen to look at whether a small area of some car parks could be considered for hiring out electric bicycles so residents and visitors could explore the local area on two wheels rather than four. The group has also recommended a number of trial contactless machines be installed to minimise the need for residents to touch buttons while paying for parking.

If given the go-ahead is given by Cabinet, the first part of the project will see charging points installed across seven car parks that are able to serve 14 vehicles at a time…

24 February 2021 – Plans to look at using council car parks for evening entertainment and to install electric charging points revealed – East Devon

.

As was widely reported in the press at the time:

East Devon car parks could become outdoor cinemas – BBC News

East Devon plans for car parks to be off-peak outdoor venues | Exmouth Journal

.

And so at cabinet on Wednesday this week, it was decided to take the project forward:

.

Electric Vehicle charging in public car parks

To consider proposals for introducing electric vehicle charging infrastructure into this Council’s public car parks this year.

To recommend to Council to… facilitate participation in the Innovate UK funded Exeter Rapid Charge Project…  to install and operate up to 30 rapid charging units in public car parks within the District.

Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 17th March, 2021, 6.00 pm – East Devon

.

The District Council-owned car parks in Sidmouth being considered are:

Ham West and / or Roxburgh short stay car park – 4 chargers (serving 8 charging bays)

EV charging in car parks.pdf

.

Meanwhile, a correspondent has noted:

Charge points appear in the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan under Access and Connectivity.

The Knowle flood relief scheme provides an amphitheatre and associated car parking. 

Knowle relocation project: flooding attenuation – Vision Group for Sidmouth

Sidmouth to get ‘bigger and better’ car park after Knowle development, says council | Sidmouth Herald

.

Sidmouth certainly has its eyes on further charge points, including Knowle, which is about to be handed over to the town council:

Environment-Committee-Agenda-12-Oct-2020.pdf

More charging points in Sidmouth – Vision Group for Sidmouth

.

And the county councillor is also installing charging points in Sidmouth:

New public car charging points in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald

More charging points for Devon: questionnaire – Vision Group for Sidmouth