The council is being urged to engage with residents when choosing where to site electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
Independent councillor Peter Atkinson made the plea after a fire engine struggled to pass the sport where drivers have to park to use one recently installed charge point.
Councillor Atkinson, who represents North Portslade on Brighton and Hove City Council, called for commonsense and local engagement when an installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charge point is being planned.
He has been contacted by a number of residents in his ward who are claiming that these charge points are being installed at points in a road where they cause potential obstructions to vehicles.
He found that one charging point had been installed on a section of the road where people don’t usually park because there are wooden posts on the verge.
As a result, drivers park on the other side of the road.
But if someone is charging their car and other vehicles are parked opposite, the road can become blocked.
Recently, in this road, he said, a fire engine couldn’t get through and had to reverse and take a different route.
Councillor Atkinson said: “You would only know the parking situation in this road if you are local.
“I was also told that the actual installer also expressed surprise at where he had been told to instal the charge point.”
Councillor Atkinson has raised this issue and another potential problem in North Portslade with the council.
But, he said, the installation work seems to have developed a momentum of its own and once a charging point has been installed, it’s almost impossible to get it moved.
Councillor Atkinson is calling for early and adequate engagement with local residents close to potential charge point sites. This would then mean that commonsense could prevail.
“I appreciate that, ultimately, this is a positive piece of work and will benefit the environment but we need to make sure that we’re not making life difficult or possibly dangerous for our residents.
“I also understand that these charging points will probably not now be moved but my hope is that more thought will go into future installations.”
The council is currently installing hundreds of EV charge points across Brighton and Hove.
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “We know convenient access to charging is essential for people considering an electric vehicle which is why we’re continuing to expand the city’s public charging network.
“Locations are identified using demand modelling to identify where charging is likely to be needed including local data on parking, car ownership and existing provision. It’s then assessed to ensure they are safe and suitable for installation.
“We welcome feedback from residents and work in partnership with our on street public EV charging provider char.gy to ensure that locations work well in each community.
“This investment will help meet growing demand, reduce transport emissions and support our ambition for a healthier, more sustainable city.”
One was installed outside my property , in North Portslade, over 6 weeks ago and the street light hasn’t worked since. I have reported it but goodness knows when it will be fixed. Although it won’t interfere with traffic flow where I am it seems some assessments were not done properly.
BHCC to engage with residents! Whatever next?!
Shocking.
Fair play to the councillor, he’s not being a belter like the greens and Tories trying to point score but actually get some engagement and say come on, we can do better than this.
A friend of mine just had one installed right outside his house just as he is about to buy an EV , win win , it will only be the anti EV brigade that kick up a fuss.