Latest news with #AndyHadley
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
New EV chargers for anyone without a driveway as major trial hits parts of UK
For years, Brits who don't have a driveway have been forced to pay sky-high prices at public charging stations to keep their electric vehicles (EVs) running — but a new trial is about to change that In a huge victory for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Brits in certain parts of the UK will soon be able to charge their cars at home even if they don't have a driveway. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has approved a cross-pavement charging trial, with the aim of helping EV owners who don't have access to off-street parking. The system involves installing cable channels, known as gullies, beneath the pavements of residential streets. These gullies allow people to run a charging cable across the pavement in a safe and unobtrusive way, making it possible to charge EVs using a home electricity supply. The system is intended for people who live in terraced housing or properties with no driveway — a situation that currently makes at-home vehicle charging difficult. Having been approved by BCP Council, the trial is set to begin sometime in the near future, with the possibility of being expanded to more areas if successful. While residents will be required to cover the cost of installing a gully and charging socket, some of that expense may be reduced through government support. The idea is part of the government's wider efforts to increase EV uptake and infrastructure, as well as expanding access to reliable, affordable EV charging. Local authorities in Devon and Suffolk are also piloting similar schemes, supported by guidance from the Department for Transport. Andy Hadley, BCP Council's portfolio holder for environment, said: "Charging gullies could make owning an electric vehicle a more attractive option for residents that do not have off-street parking. This is exactly the sort of innovative solution that residents have been asking us to provide and is an important part of our wider EV strategy. In addition to making car at-home charging more accessible, we are committed to rolling out more convenient public charging points." The idea reflects a growing push to ensure fairer access to EV technology, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The government identified charging infrastructure as one of the key barriers to EV adoption. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Labour is making it "easier and cheaper" to own an EV. She continued: "We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, and we are tackling that head-on so that everyone — whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric." The news comes as a new £63 million round of government funding looks set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, including a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking. This includes the introduction of cross-pavement charging technology, which enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates, potentially saving them up to £1,500 a year in comparison to running an ICE vehicle. BCP Council discussed the plans in more detail on Wednesday, July 16, voting unanimously in favour of the paper and recommendations they need to bring to council to implement the cross-pavement EV charging trial. The Bill was presented and proposed by Councillor Andy Hadley and seconded by Councillor Richard Burton. Mr Hadley explained that when they previously took the EV charging strategy to council in January 2024, they noted 'a real disparity between the position of somebody who's got a driveway and the ability to charge a car on their own drive, from their own domestic supply, at minimal cost, and people who don't have a driveway and have to use the public infrastructure — the cost per kW is significantly more'. He also laid out the situation regarding the charging infrastructure currently in place in the borough. They have 110 high-capacity public charging devices with 220 sockets, mainly in car parks, and are close to introducing a further 500 locations with 1,000 low-speed (7kW) sockets in residential areas for overnight charging. If the pilot scheme is deemed a success, similar pavement gully systems could appear across more streets in the conurbation, and eventually the nation, helping to support the UK's transition to cleaner, greener transport.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dorset council approves £6m investment for Poole lifting bridges
A council cabinet has recommended a £6m investment into the long-term life and reliability of two Dorset Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council backed the money for Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails, both in Poole, calling them "vital" to daily authority said the recommended improvements would "increase the life of critical components and reduce the need for unplanned repairs".A final decision on the funding will be taken at the full council meeting on 22 July. The council said work at Poole Bridge would address corrosion taken place over many years and protect against it in the future. Both Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails have been closed multiple times over technical Twin Sails, which connects the town centre with Hamworthy, would benefit from changes to the design of the lifting mechanism, and regular maintenance would "likely continue into the future without the proposed improvements".Four new digital information panels would also be installed on an upgraded funding allocation comes entirely from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), so the improvements would not be funded by council on the bridges would be expected over the next three holder for climate response, environment and energy Andy Hadley said the recommendations demonstrated commitment to "the thousands of people who use the bridges on a daily basis – whether motorists, pedestrians, wheelers, by bus or on the water". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Bridge and waterfront in closed for Poole Park lagoon repairs
A road and a popular waterfront path are to close for three months for repair work to preserve a saltwater Park lagoon, in Poole, Dorset, is a wildlife haven and recreation facility, fed by a sluice channel under nearby Baiter Park and a railway sheet piling of the channel has become corroded and needs rebuilding so work is taking place from 28 July to and cyclists will be diverted under the railway, through the subway or under Keyhole Bridge, which will be closed to traffic to protect pedestrians. BCP Council said repairing the channel was vital to maintain the high salinity levels for rare wildlife living in the timing of the work is to avoid disturbance to overwintering birds in Poole Harbour, which is a protected councillor Andy Hadley said: "Poole Park lagoon is not only a much-loved community facility but also the habitat for several rare and endangered species."These works will help to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the lagoon in the long term, to the benefit of people and wildlife."People walking or cycling from Poole Town and Baiter Park will be able to continue via the subway under the railway at the end of Catalena Drive, and a diversion alongside the lagoon in Poole from Whitecliff will be directed under Keyhole Bridge. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
EV charging: pavement trial for Bournemouth Christchurch Poole
A system to allow residents to charge electric vehicles via a pavement gully could be introduced to streets in Bournemouth Christchurch and gullies allow residents without off-street parking to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) through cables embedded in the residents pay for their gully and charging socket, but the cost can be partially off-set by a central Government grant. Andy Hadley, BCP Council's portfolio holder for environment described it as an "innovative solution". A trial is due to be discussed by the council cabinet. Using cable channels embedded within the pavement means EV owners are able to use cheaper, domestic energy supply as opposed to relying on commercial charging vehicles using the domestic energy supply, costs can be as low as 5p per kWh, compared to up to 89p per kWh at a public charging local authorities, including Devon County Council and Suffolk County Council, have already announced their own trials following national guidance issued by the Hadley said: "Charging gullies could make owning an electric vehicle a more attractive option for residents that do not have off-street parking."This is exactly the sort of innovative solution that residents have been asking us to provide and is an important part of our wider EV strategy."In addition to making car at-home charging more accessible, we are committed to rolling out more convenient public charging points."He said the council wanted to ensure the gullies did not take space or create trip hazard for trial is due to be discussed by the cabinet on 16 July, and if successful, could be rolled out across the three towns. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flood defences £25m investment to protect homes
More than £25m has been allocated to two flood defence schemes in Dorset and Hampshire. The flagship North Portsea Coastal Scheme in Hampshire covers 5.2 miles (8.4km) of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. It will receive £13.8 million Environment Agency (EA) funding to protect more than 4,000 properties and 500 businesses. More than £12m has been awarded to flood defences from Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill in Dorset. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said the scheme reduce the risk of tidal flooding to more than 2,000 properties in and around Poole town centre "over the next 100 years". Councillor Andy Hadley said: "The project will also support redevelopment of the Poole West Quays, including a continuous public quayside, and this funding is a welcome boost towards delivering that vision." The Portsea scheme has been underway since 2015 and is due to finish in 2026. In a statement, a spokesperson for the £85.9m project said the money "gives us an exciting opportunity to ensure this vital sea defence project leaves behind a green legacy". In February, more than £2.5bn of government funding was committed to flood protection schemes across England. The Environment Agency (EA) says the funding for both new and pre-existing schemes will reduce the risk from flooding for more than 60,000 properties in England. There is also money for coastal defences along the south coast, including Eastbourne, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, as well as reservoir maintenance works at Aldershot. Caroline Douglass, executive director for flood and coastal risk management at the EA, said defending communities was a "priority." She said climate change had made it "more important than ever". "The delivery of the schemes will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses who have experienced flooding and may face more extreme weather. "Our focus is now on working to deliver these schemes on time, ensuring as many properties as possible are protected," she added. Last year, a cross-party committee of MPs said between 2021 and 2024, the Conservatives had failed to properly maintain existing flood defences or build enough new ones. The government says it inherited flood assets in their poorest condition on record. Floods minister Emma Hardy said the investment will "build and repair over 1,000 flood defences across the country". More than £100m has also been earmarked to repair and maintain defences, some of which were damaged in last year's floods. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Spending on flood defences set to rise to record levels Environment Agency gives £68m for flood protection Devon and Cornwall flood schemes get funding boost Natural flood prevention scheme gets £800,000 Environment Agency Coastal Partners
