Cumberland Council aim to have a car charging point near every home in authority

Councillors have been given an update on a proposed roll out of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the Cumberland Council area.

Members of the council met at the Civic Centre in Carlisle this week and the update came during the time set aside for questions.

Councillor Brian Wernham asked: "Can Cllr Rollo, the portfolio holder for sustainable, resilient and connected places, provide an update on its application for funding under the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme and all other upcoming schemes?

"Given that only 10 of 78 projects have been approved for delivery nationwide as of October 2024, what steps has Cumberland Council taken to ensure our application progresses, and what is the anticipated timeline for the installation of EV charge points in our area?

"What efforts is the council making to progress kerbside charging across pavements for residents in terraced houses?"

Councillor Denise Rollo (Harrington, Labour) said it had been extensively reported in the local press and funding was approved by the council in March this year.

She said the search for a suitable contractor would be put out to tender this month, bids would be evaluated in June, it will be awarded in July and finalised in the autumn. She added that the aim was to have a charger within five minutes’ walk of the home of every resident.

At last month’s meeting of the executive committee the 15-year strategy to improve the provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the council area was outlined to senior councillors.

At the meeting they considered a report – Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for general public use 2025-2040.

They were asked to approve permission to procure a contractor for the provision, operation and maintenance of infrastructure across the council area for a period of 15 years with a maximum value of £7million – with £3.465 million grant funded and £3.535million match funded.

Speaking at the meeting cllr Rollo told members that the current infrastructure was "inadequate" and moved the recommendations to which the committee agreed.

The report states: "This will provide a fit for purpose electric vehicle charging infrastructure for general public use that will be maintained in a safe operational condition and to allow emergency and non-emergency repairs to existing infrastructure to be completed in a timely and safe manner."

A range of charge point types and speeds will be permissible, with the Charge Point Operator (CPO) required to install at mandatory sites selected by the council prior to the deployment of infrastructure at additional sites selected in partnership by the CPO and Cumberland Council.