Worries Ribble Valley could be littered in abandoned cars over lack of electric charging points

Electric cars could be abandoned in rural parts of Lancashire, such as the Forest of Bowland, because of a lack of charging points and mobile phone signals, a council meeting heard.

More work by councils, government and industry is needed to meet public demand, it was said.

Charging points for car parks and streets, construction costs, mobile technology gaps and reported public confusion about electric car facilities and rules were discussed at Ribble Valley Borough Council’s latest Community Services Committee. It came in an update on electric vehicle (EV) charging points for borough off-street car parks.

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A council report said there are EV charging points at Railway View and Chester Avenue car parks in Clitheroe. A company has been appointed to establish what types of points, if any, can be accommodated in other car parks at Sabden, Ribchester, Barclay Road Longridge, Dunsop Bridge, Slaidburn and Chipping.

Once the council has this information, a decision can be taken on each car park and costs. The report said the primary issue will be the electrical supply available. The reason there are currently only two car parks in Clitheroe is access to a suitable electric supply. The study is expected by the end of June.

Labour Coun Lee Jameson, who is also on Longridge Town Council, said: “With all politeness, what is causing the hold-up? What is the issue? This keeps getting brought-up at town council meetings and it would be nice to get regular updates on this.”

Council officer Mark Beveridge said: “The council now has a budget. The principle thing is the power supply. Access is critical. In one area, the cost of digging a tunnel was £100,000. In some areas, connections are simpler than others. We are working with a company, seeing what other councils have done and having talks with E.ON. A report will come back to this committee with financial implications. ”

Committee chairman Conservative Coun Richard Newmark said: “I thought Mardale was going to be included also as one potential site for EV?”

Conservative Coun Rosie Elms, a Bowland councillor, said: “I’m curious about how people are going to pay for EV charging? In some areas we have got no mobile phone signal.”

Mr Beveridge said: “That’s a good question. Charging with a mobile phone app is quite easy in Clitheroe. However in Slaidburn, for example, we cannot link car park pay-and-display to mobiles because we cannot get a signal. However, mobile phone companies say they are going to improve rural signals.”

Coun Elms added: “I worry that people will see the new machines and expect to be able to charge. I fear cars clogging the roads.”

However, Mr Beveridge replied: “We would not take that approach. Obviously the council is keen to provide things if possible. But if we cannot because of poor signals, we would not.”

Coun Elms asked if it was safe to assume Slaidburn would not be focused on. And Coun Newmark said it seemed strange that Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge were on the list. However the officer said all sites were being looked at, based on circumstances.

Conservative Coun Stephen Atkinson, who is also the leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: “Circumstances vary with power. There are significant super-fast issues. We need more details but I commend officers for getting the basic information. Then we can take considered decisions.”

Independent Coun Lee Street said: “We have got on-street EV charging points where people park illegally but no enforcement is taken. We have got to look at the whole area and understand the trajectory for electric vehicles. Surely that has got to be done with Lancashire County Council, EV providers and others? Here, we seem to be just looking at car parks. You cannot get a connection in Whalley – it’s that bad.”

Mr Beveridge said officers were only asked to look at car parks. However, talks had been held with the county council about on-street parking and facilities, such as in York Street. In theory, running an electric cable over a pavement to charge a vehicle was an offence, he said. More talks were needed on various issues.

Council chief executive Marshal Scott added: “It’s a national situation. There could be a future situation where people with electric cars cannot charge them. It’s worth having talks with MPs about this.”

Engineering officer Winston Robinson said enforcement was possible against drivers of electric cars who breached charging rules in off-street car parks. Changes had been made. Lib-Dem Coun Simon O’Rourke said there was uncertainty about electric and hybrid cars.

He said: “Some visitors say they bypass Clitheroe to go to Skipton. They did not know Clitheroe had charging points. Some think there’s a law about a £100 fine for people who run out of charge? It needs clarification.”

The chief executive said if a hybrid car was judged to be fully charged, it should move on. More ideas could be brought in a future report. The meeting heard Lancashire County Council resist road signs about charging points. But many drivers have apps to locate points and also look-up sites in advance.

Ribble Valley Council only charges fees for car park spaces. It does not get any money from electric charging, Coun Newmark said.

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