An extra four electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed in the borough bringing the total up to eight so far.
These follow installations last year as part of the effort to improve local air quality along the A127 between Basildon and Rochford District. The initiative is part of the authorities’ response to the Government’s National Air Quality Plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide.
Basildon Council is working in partnership with Rochford District Council on this grant-funded project alongside Electric Vehicle charger supplier Swarco UK/eVolt. The aim is to reduce the levels of nitrogen in the shortest possible time.
This partnership lead to the councils being awarded a £1,258,000 grant from the Department for Transport, and a further £187,500 from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This phase of works sees the delivery of the final charger installations for general use in Basildon car parks, as well as some new taxi-specific chargers in three of the borough’s main towns.
The new charging points, which will be operation by the end of November, are being installed in the following areas:
- Rose Lane car park, Billericay – two rapid chargers for public use
- Lake Meadows car park – one rapid charger for taxis
- Wickford Main car park – one rapid charger for taxis
Chairman of Basildon Council’s Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee Councillor Jack Ferguson said: “When it comes to improving our environment we want to be at the forefront of these initiatives as we encourage businesses and the public to move towards a greener society.
“These latest installations are the start of something great and innovative in Basildon.
“I look forward to the initiatives that will come in the future, making Basildon greener and safer environment for residents.”
Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Councillor David Harrison added:
“This is great news for the borough and for our environment. It will be of particular benefit to local taxi drivers. The more of these points we can get installed across our borough the quicker we can move towards and greener and cleaner borough.”
