Council’s 56 charging points for electric vehicles in multi-storey car park

WARRINGTON Borough Council has installed 56 charging points for electric vehicles at the Time Square multi-storey car park – one of the largest number at any one location in the country.
The announcement comes ahead of Clean Air Day (tomorrow, Thursday) and is a major step to encourage the uptake of low emission electric vehicles in the town centre
It is part of the authority’s long-term commitment to reducing pollution.
Clean Air Day is the nationwide air quality awareness day, organised by the behaviour-change charity Global Action Plan. It gives people the chance to find out more about air pollution, share information with friends and colleagues, and help make the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.
The council formally adopted its Air Quality Action Plan last year – aiming to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels within the main, busy traffic routes leading into and around the town – and where possible to deliver wider improvements across Warrington.
The 17-point plan includes some firm, immediate actions, such as an increased focus on sustainable transport, encouraging cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, new cycling and walking links, and an intelligent transport system.
Now, the council is asking residents to support Clean Air Day – and the wider work to reduce pollution – by thinking about what small lifestyle changes they could make.
Lead member for environment, Cllr Judith Guthrie – who drives an electric car herself – said: “I’m delighted that our new electric charging points are up-and-running. It’s an important part of our plans to protect Warrington’s environment, now and in the future.
“We are committed to developing a cleaner, safer and less car-dominated environment throughout the borough and we have set out an action plan to achieve this. You can support us by doing your bit, whether that’s by walking to school, cycling into work or using public transport.
“Clean Air Day is the perfect time to think about what steps you can take to help improve our air quality – which in turn will help improve the health of local people. It’s an issue that affects us all – so I hope as many local people as possible get involved.”
The council is also about to launch a new website, as part of its commitment to keeping people informed about Warrington’s Air Quality Action Plan and raising awareness about air quality in the borough. It will include interactive maps, a search-by-property function, information about Air Quality Management and Smoke Control Areas, and access to all the air pollution data monitored by the council at more than 30 locations across the borough.
For more information about Clean Air Day 2019 and how to get involved, visit www.cleanairday.org.uk.
Owning an electric car will save more than 70 per centin fuel costs as well as helping to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
inding an electric vehicle charging point is getting easier – there are now over 6,000 charging locations across the UK, with more than a dozen public charging locations in Warrington.
Charging at home is also now easier.  All new homes in Warrington with off road parking must now have charging points.  For existing homeowners, government grants are available of up to £500 for the installation of a charging point.