Selfish drivers block electric charging bays
Electric car drivers on Arran are angry that other motorists are selfishly using parking bays meant for them to charge their cars.
However, the bays on the shore-font in Brodick are not marked for electric cars only and now North Ayrshire Council has apologised and says the work to demarcate the bays will be carried out soon.
The apology came after an electric car owner expressed his frustration at the charging bay being occupied by combustion vehicles which are continually using the bay as a normal parking place and blocking access to others wanting to make use of the charging facilities.
Frustrations reached boiling point last weekend when a company vehicle used the bay as a long-term parking spot and left it unavailable for electric vehicle-users for the duration of the weekend.
The electric vehicle owner, who asked not to be named, said: ‘How can anyone charge their car when it’s continually blocked with normal cars? The council said on the Monday July 10 that the bay would be marked off and painted in two weeks. Three months later, it’s still blocked with selfish people dumping their cars in the critical spaces electric car owners like my self depend on to charge our car. It’s totally infuriating.’
No demarcation
The charging unit located opposite Little Rock restaurant on Shore Road is situated in front of a similar row of parking bays and, despite having been installed over a year ago, it has no demarcation indicating its intended use.
It was relocated from the Brodick ferry terminal after work started on the new pier. There they were clearly marked in blue.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: ‘This has taken longer than anticipated and we apologise for the delay. We are looking to put in a shelter, to cover the electric charging point, along with some markings over the coming weeks.
‘This will highlight that this bay should be used by electric vehicles only. In the meantime, we would continue to ask people not to park in the spot next to the charging bay.’