Great Yarmouth in drive to install electric car charging point in car park
Fullers Hill car park,Picture: Anthony Carroll - Credit: Archant
The national drive to install electric car chargers has led to a borough council proposing setting up one of the units in a prime car park site.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is looking at installing an electric vehicle charging point at the Fullers Hill car park.
In 2017 the council joined a consortium of local authorities in the eastern region that bid for funding from a new grant introduced by Highways England.
An update on the bid was received last month and the decision was made to proceed with the recommended installation of what is called a rapid charge point at Fullers Hill car park, which could charge two vehicles at the same time.
Rapid charge points are able to charge a battery powered vehicle to 80pc power in under 30 minutes.
MORE; towns plan for chargersThe project is part of a broader scheme by Highways England which aims to support the uptake of electric vehicles and consequently reduce carbon emissions, which can have a damaging effect on the environment.
Recent figures showed that in Norfolk there was a 60pc increase in the number of registered vehicles in the county in the space of a year; one of the biggest increases in the country.
As of September last year, the number of registered electric vehicles in Norfolk was 863.
Most Read
- 1 Tyson Fury is making a comeback to Gorleston
- 2 Four men arrested following altercation by Great Yarmouth pub
- 3 'It's just not viable anymore' - Pub near Great Yarmouth closes
- 4 Yarmouth's wizard hotel to appear on Four in a Bed
- 5 Man who raped teen jailed for six years
- 6 Man to be sentenced next month over Norfolk pub attack
- 7 Police called to 'altercation' between pupils at Norfolk school
- 8 Date set for road reopening after sewer collapse
- 9 Hospital opens £1.2m eye operation theatre to cut waiting times
- 10 TV show filmed in Norfolk starring Ainsley Harriott to air this month
The rise has been attributed to an increase in the range of electric vehicles on offer, lower prices, more miles before drivers need to recharge and increased provision of charge points.
MORE; train station charger successThe borough council says fees for charging vehicles would meet maintenance costs for looking after the charging unit.
And in a paper to be discussed by the council’s economic development committee on April 3 more charging points could come to the town.
It states: “As more environmentally friendly vehicles become more popular, Great Yarmouth has an opportunity to provide additional charge points to cater for future needs.” The paper asks the committee to approve taking the next steps in the installation application process with a further report to be drawn up looking at fees to be charged.
Highways England will review the process and give formal approval.
