Council asks for views on electric vehicle charging in the borough

Cheshire West and Chester Council is asking for views on electric vehicle charging in the borough.

A public consultation on the Council’s draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy launches today (1 February) and will close on 15 March 2023.

Uptake of electric vehicles has grown rapidly within the borough over recent years, and there are increasing requests from communities for the Council to provide more charging facilities.

Making it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles forms a key part of the Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan, which first promotes active modes of travel - like walking, wheeling or cycling - or public transport, followed by a transition to zero emission vehicles where car travel is unavoidable.

The Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy sets out how the Council and its partners will support the transition to electric vehicles within this framework, though promoting and providing comprehensive, accessible, and efficient charging infrastructure.

Potential locations for charging electric vehicles include key destinations - like town centres, supermarkets and restaurants, plus along routes across the borough and at residents’ homes.

Delivering the level of charging infrastructure required to meet future demand will require close partnership working between the council and private operators.

The adoption of local electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategies is being promoted by the Department for Transport, and development of this strategy will support submissions to the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which is expected to be launched soon.

A consultation summary report is available setting out the core policies contained in the strategy: 

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/EVconsultation .

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “If you have any comments or views regarding charging electric vehicles in the borough, please get involved in our consultation. 

“We want to hear from as many residents, businesses, communities and other stakeholders as possible.  Help us to shape our strategy for the future of transport in the borough.”

Findings from the public consultation will help to shape the final draft of the strategy, which will be presented to Cabinet in Summer 2023.

There are a number of ways to take part in the consultation:

Complete the online survey at: 

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/EVconsultation

Email your views to: 

TransportStrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Telephone the Council’s contact centre on:

0300 1238 123

...and quote ‘Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy’.

Request a copy of our consultation or survey in alternative formats, including hard copy, easy read, Braille or large print, using the contact details above.

 Paper questionnaires and written responses can be returned to the following address:

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy Consultation, Transport Planning Team, Transport & Infrastructure, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.