Councillors call for better electric vehicle charging provision

AVAILABILITY of electric vehicle charging points in Melksham came under the spotlight recently as town councillors put questions to Wiltshire Council’s head of highways operations, Adrian Hampton. 

Councillors asked about providing electric vehicle charging points for all new houses, problems with the charging point in King Street car park and provision that will be made at the new campus. 

Melksham’s mayor, cllr Jon Hubbard, appealed to make it compulsory for new housing developments to have the suitable infrastructure in place to support residential electric vehicle charging. 

Wiltshire Council’s Adrian Hampton explained that the residential provision of electric vehicle charging points faces a ‘significant challenge’ as many areas and properties don’t have the ability to install the infrastructure needed. 

“Are we lobbying to put conditions into the emerging Local Plan [a Wiltshire Council planning document that will identify potential locations for development across the county] that when new infrastructure is built for new estates, they also put adequate power supply into the area to deal with rapid or ultra-chargers?” asked cllr Hubbard. 

“And are we putting requirements on new properties to have this infrastructure or facilitate this infrastructure as part of the design? I’m particularly concerned about social housing, where social properties don’t have parking adjacent to their property.” 

In response to cllr Hubbard’s concerns, Adrian Hampton from Wiltshire Council explained that whilst the content of the Local Plan is ‘out of his hands’, he is feeding information to local planners and the relevant departments at Wiltshire Council. 

At the meeting, the head of highways operations was also challenged by town councillors on the lack of an electric vehicle charging point in Melksham’s King Street car park – the current unit has been out of action since last year. 

Cllr Hubbard asked for reassurances that when the unit is replaced – expected to be later this year – Melksham won’t be left in the lurch again if it breaks down. 

According to Adrian Hampton, Wiltshire Council has learnt a ‘good lesson’ and the operation of all new charging points will be managed by the council, rather than outsourcing to third-party companies – which he said, should avoid the recent problems they have experienced. 

There were also questions about the proposed electric vehicle charging points in the new car park at Melksham’s community campus – set to open in the autumn. 

Wiltshire Council has said that the campus will have six electric vehicle charging points capable of 7.2 kilowatts an hour. But cllr Simon Crundell explained that he feels the charging points are not ‘future proof’ and will be of ‘no use to anyone’ in a few years’ time. 

“Most people will only be there for an hour,” said cllr Crundell, “you’re not going to get much of a charge.” 

However, the head of highways operations explained that the campus site is ‘limited’ and has an insufficient power supply. 

“It’s either 7.2 kilowatt now, or nothing,” he said. “This is probably the maximum you can have.” 

He added that Wiltshire Council will have to work with utility providers to improve power supply to the area.