Electric vehicle charging points are being considered for six areas across Stone and Stafford as part of council action to improve access to facilities for residents and visitors.
Stafford Borough Council has identified sites at Stone’s Crown Street and Christchurch Way, South Walls and Charnley Road Playing Fields, and the new car parks at Canalside and Riverside as potential areas for new public-access charging points.
The authority is working with Staffordshire County Council and other borough and neighbouring district and borough councils to boost electric vehicle infrastructure as demand rises for changing points in the coming years. At this month’s borough council cabinet meeting, members agreed to continue being involved in the partnership to enable the delivery of new facilities as part of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Programme.
Deputy leader Rob Kenney said:
“The strategy assists in enabling electric vehicles to be a viable option for residents, visitors and businesses whilst helping to support the aims of Staffordshire County Council’s strategic plan and the vision of the Staffordshire Sustainability Board. This aligns with the borough’s own aspirations, contributing towards achieving carbon net zero and improving quality of life for residents through reduction of noise and air quality impacts.
“This report allows us to continue to be part of the programme and access a central government funding pot. The council still retains the ability to withdraw from the programme without risk, should we decide to do so, and any decision on how we move this forward will come to cabinet for approval.
“There six proposed sites for charging points. It is essential in my opinion that we are involved in this – electric vehicles are currently the only way forward to help with climate change.”
Last year Staffordshire County Council adopted its Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. And earlier this year the Department for Transport allocated £4.6m to the county council to help the private sector to deliver public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
A report to this month’s borough council cabinet meeting said:
“As of 31 January 2024, there are 428 public charge points in Staffordshire with 54% (233) of the charge points being rapid chargers (>=50kWh). CENEX, who are a LEVI support body, estimates that Staffordshire will require 5,140 electric vehicle charge point sockets by 2030.
“The Staffordshire County Council strategy identifies that collaborating with district and borough councils to install EV infrastructure at areas of off-street parking where residential needs are considered should be a focal point. This funding opportunity securing additional EV charging points will facilitate electric vehicle use, helping to support the council’s facilitation of more sustainable travel methods of transport across the borough.
“Any formal consideration or use of the LEVI programme – including funding draw-down – will be subject to business case and further reports will be required to come to Cabinet for decision and formal approval requirements. At this stage, the council is not under any contractual commitment.”
