Published: Monday, 8th August 2022
Work on the installation of 26 electric vehicle charging points in seven locations across west Norfolk has begun.
The first points to be installed will be Chapel Street car park, Lynnsport North car park, and Gaywood Library car park in King's Lynn, and Valentine Road car park in Hunstanton. There will be some minor disruption in the car parks where the work is being done, due to spaces being cordoned off. The installation work for this first phase should be completed by 19 August. The next phase will include works to the car park at Centre Point, Fairstead and Austin Street East car park in King's Lynn, and North Street car park, Burnham Market. Once completed, the charging points will enable 52 cars to be charged.
All points should be fully commissioned and operational by mid October.
Cllr Paul Kunes, cabinet member for the environment said: “The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is fully committed to playing its part in tackling climate change and has already taken many steps on its own net zero journey. We are also committed to helping our community to do the same.
“Lack of off-street parking at home can pose a barrier when people are considering the switch to electric vehicles, but we are removing that by making nearby charging facilities available. It is also a benefit for visitors who drive to the area in electric vehicles."
The borough council secured a grant of £195,000 from the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and a further contribution of nearly £90,000 from BP Pulse, as well as its own contribution of £73,500. The council has also spent a further £87,000 to install a substation at Austin Street to support the electricity supply and BP Pulse will cover the maintenance costs for 7 years.
The chargers are fast 7kW chargers which are designed for overnight charging or for extended use. The electricity will be paid for by the user via an app.
The charging points are all being installed in car parks owned by the council. Free parking will be provided between 6pm and 8am when a vehicle is plugged in and charging, to ensure accessibility to residents that need to charge overnight. Normal parking charges apply between 8am and 6pm.
Users should check local signage for restrictions as some EV charging points belong to other providers and different rules and tariffs may apply. The free-parking-while- charging-overnight offern refers specifically to Chapel Street car park, Lynnsport North car park, Gaywood Library car park, Centre Point car park, Fairstead, and Austin Street East car park in King's Lynn, Valentine Road car park in Hunstanton, and North Street car park in Burnham Market.