Electric car charging at a station

Electric vehicle charging points consultation launched

A survey has been launched on potential locations for on-street electric vehicle charging points in 7 towns across North Northamptonshire.

10 sites are being considered in Corby, Easton on the Hill, Irthlingborough, Kettering, Rushden, Thrapston and Wellingborough and residents living nearby will receive a letter inviting them to have their say on the proposed sites. The letter will be from Liberty Charge, who are running the project on behalf of North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).

The consultation is also open to wider members of the public and can be completed online.

Cllr Graham Lawman, NNC’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said:

“With a rise in users of electric vehicles, it is important that we continue to look at charging points for those who have no access to a private drive or wish to charge their car whilst visiting town centres across North Northamptonshire.  We aim to be installing the necessary infrastructure ahead of peoples’ buying decisions so that they can make the move to EVs with confidence. Liberty Charge install and operate the Charging Points at their own commercial risk and at no cost to the Council”.

“As with previous sites we have identified, those currently being looked at have been selected following recommendations to us by residents and suggestions by local Councillors.”

Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, added:

“We are always actively looking for new sites for electric charging points and we value resident’s opinions, which is why I am pleased we are currently surveying residents for their thoughts on our proposals. If you live near to one of the proposed sites, or are an electric vehicle user, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey.”

All feedback will be reviewed by NNC and before installation can go ahead, residents will have a further opportunity to comment on the designation and operation of the bays through the Traffic Regulation Order process.

If you would like to respond to the public consultation for the proposed electric vehicle charging points across North Northamptonshire, you can do so via the online form until 29 December.

The surveys being conducted are separate to the engagement on 21 proposed sites which ran from September – November 2022.

Wilson Browne