The council has announced another significant step forward in its commitment to reducing carbon emissions, after successfully securing a grant worth £386,250 from the On-Street Residential Scheme...
The funding will support the installation of 24 twin charge points and 40 lamp column charge points, increasing the existing infrastructure across the town and bringing the total number of locations to 115 on-street. These new charging columns will be strategically placed on-street, with a mix of 2/3/4 charge points per location, ensuring convenient access to EV charging facilities for residents and visitors alike.
This initiative forms a crucial component of the ‘Transforming Travel in Watford 2021-2041’ strategy, which aims to revolutionise travel patterns within the town. As part of this strategy, efforts are underway to promote walking, cycling, and public transport usage, making sustainable modes of travel more accessible and appealing.
The latest announcement also builds upon the success of last year's funding, where £592,500 from ORCS is being used to add 79 new EV charging points across Watford. These installations are being successfully connected by UK Power Networks and will mark another significant milestone for more sustainable transportation options in the area.
Both installation programs have been spearheaded by Watford Borough Council and supported by the government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), as well as the Energy Saving Trust. The funding for Watford comes via 50% from OZEV and the other 50% of the install costs through the council’s contract with partners Blink Charging. The total investment is £772,500.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The expansion of EV charging points will help people to switch to EV vehicles and improve air quality in Watford. Many residents in the town do not have driveways, so it is important that we have the right infrastructure in place. We are committed to making improvements in Watford to make this a more sustainable town.”
Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, said: “This grant marks another significant leap forward in our ambition to provide more choices to residents and to help reduce emissions in Watford. With the support of this funding, we're enhancing our town's charging infrastructure, making electric vehicle ownership more accessible and convenient for our residents and visitors.”
As the world continues to tackle climate change, initiatives like electric vehicle charging points will play an increasingly important role in building sustainable communities. You can find out more about what the council is doing – including its target to net zero carbon town by 2030 or earlier at www.watford.gov.uk/sustainablewatford.
