New car charging points
FREE SITE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
FREE electric vehicle charging points will soon be available in Lindley.
Two points, one of which will be reserved for taxis and private hire vehicles, are being installed at Lidget Street Car Park.
They will be free to use until the end of October 2021.
The site will include two charging points/bays, with one used by taxis and private hire vehicles and the other for all other electric car users.
It is part of a scheme to install charging points at 88 sites across West Yorkshire, including 17 across Kirklees. This will include 13 at council-owned car parks, three at Asda supermarket car parks and one at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The scheme is a collaboration between West Yorkshire Combined Authority and its partner local authorities, which includes Kirklees Council, and follows a successful bid for £2m funding from the Government’s
Office for Low Emission Vehicles, with a further £1.2m of match funding from the Combined Authority.
The new facilities have been welcomed by Lindley ward councillors.
Clr Richard Eastwood, said: “We know that electric vehicles are much better for the environment than conventional petrol and diesel cars.
“It is estimated that 24,000 people die prematurely annually in the UK as a result of air pollution, while air pollution costs the UK economy £20 billion each year. There are shortterm and long-term effects of air pollution on health.
“These charging points will help to tackle air pollution and create a cleaner environment for people who live and work in the area.”
Clr Cahal Burke said: “We have long campaigned for air quality improvements in Lindley. As ward councillors, we have raised our concerns when houses have been allowed to be built in areas of poor air quality, for instance, and we have regular meetings with council officers and other partners to look at ways to improve the situation.
“This scheme will continue the work we are doing to improve the local environment and follows the installation of the air quality monitoring device on George Street in Lindley in early May, which will help to measure gases and particulate matter from harmful emissions.”
Lindley Councillor Anthony Smith added: “As ward councillors, we are excited that the new electrical charging points are being installed in Lindley. We want to encourage the use of green energy and sustainable living.
“We want to ensure that there is plenty of opportunity for those that drive eco-friendly vehicles to recharge and we hope that by providing access to convenient public vehicle charging points, more residents and businesses will consider switching to electric vehicles.”