Electric car charging project short circuits
Delay to installation branded‘ embarrassing’ for council
The installation of operational Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units in an East Kilbride car park have been hit by a “significant delay” after suppliers put in the wrong equipment.
A new substation was approved at Old Mill Road car park in East Mains to allow South Lanarkshire Council to install six charging points and increase the size of the network across the region.
But the £160,000 project, funded by Transport Scotland, has been beset with problems with no date for the units to be up and running and the lease conditions for the land the substation occupies still to be agreed.
The units appeared to have been completed some time ago but are still not operational and remain covered up – with suppliers now blamed for installing the wrong equipment.
Delays have also been blamed on the Covid pandemic and issues with the global supply chain.
Councillors approved plans for a 99-year lease of a 25 square metre section of the car park to Murphy Power Distribution to allow for the installation and maintenance of the substation last June.
Local councillor Joe Fagan has hit out at delays and told the News: “All kinds of work has been disrupted by Covid. That is understandable.
“To still be in this position, with no access to EV charging in Old Mill Road car park, after all these months is simply unacceptable and it is embarrassing for South Lanarkshire Council. Only four months ago politicians were falling over themselves to come to Glasgow for COP26 and share their green credentials.
“They need to get the basics right first. This has dragged on for long enough.
“It’s time to get these chargers operating so that more local motorists can make the transition to a greener vehicle.” Colin Park, head of roads and transportation at the council said: “As part of the council’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure expansion programme two rapid dual and four fast dual electric vehicle charging units will be brought into use at Old Mill Road.
“The project costs for this new facility in East Kilbride is approximately £160,000 funding by Transport Scotland’s Local Authority Installation Programme.
“Unfortunately, the project has been significantly delayed due to factors out with the council’s control.
“Incorrect equipment was installed by the supplier, with works to rectify this resulting in further delays due to issues associated with the global supply chain.
“We are also currently awaiting the Independent District Network Operator to agree the lease conditions for the land the substation occupies.
“Please be assured that we are working hard with partners to ensure that this site is up and running as quickly as possible.”