Latest news with #BCP)Council
Daily Mirror
4 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
15-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Air quality animation created for Dorset schoolchildren
A new animation has been created for schoolchildren to highlight the dangers of air pollution and encourage positive changes in travel is part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's Clean Air Schools project and was created by local animator Rowena project is funded by Defra's Air Quality Fund and is part of a wider £120,000 investment in air quality improvement initiatives by BCP Sheehan said it had been a "privilege" to work on the project to help children understand that "air pollution is a serious issue". The project has been created to help raise awareness of how air pollution affects young people, particularly the one in 11 children in the UK who have animation will be promoted via school communications, ensuring it reaches as many families as possible. The council has been working alongside active travel charity project aims to increase active travel, cut engine idling outside schools, improving air quality and protecting children's Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for the environment at BCP Council, said: "Air pollution is an invisible but serious problem, especially for children. "This animation is a fantastic way to help children, and their families understand the impact of air quality and how small changes, like switching off car engines or choosing active travel, can make a big difference."Animator Rowena Sheehan said: "It's been a privilege to work on this project and create something visually engaging and informative for local schools."Air pollution is a serious issue, but animation allows us to present it in a way that children can easily understand and share with their families." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
19-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
BCP Council invests almost £4m in play areas for children
A council has invested almost £4m to revitalise more than 100 play Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has secured £3.9m funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy, £435,000 of which will be used to carry out of the work includes a new seesaw in Littledown, a replacement goal in Southbourne and fixed swing seats in Christchurch. Councillor Sandra Moore said she was "thrilled to see this investment into upgrading spaces that are crucial for children's development". The project is due to be carried out of the next two years and forms part of the council's five-year Plan for Play strategy, which was approved in authority said it was the largest investment in its history and would ensure children were given the best opportunities to thrive in sustainable, and maintained, play Moore said: "Some of our best memories as children are formed whilst playing with friends and that should be no different for the next generation."Well maintained play areas can boost a child's confidence, give them opportunities to socialise, and ultimately improve their physical and mental health."The breadth of this project shows the importance of every community in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - and our commitment, as a council, to giving everyone the best opportunities in life." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Flood-risk park home residents in Bournemouth urged to evacuate
People living on a residential park at risk of flooding were advised to evacuate overnight due to rapidly rising river homes at Iford Bridge Home Park near the River Stour were under threat following Storm Eowyn and Storm power at the site was turned off on Tuesday evening with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council urging residents to leave as a precautionary measure.A flood warning remains in place. BCP Council said it had staff onsite at Iford Bridge Home Park to check residents, who had chosen to remain in their homes, were safe and power will remain off at the site until it is safe to reinstate, the authority added it would continue to support residents on Wednesday, and in the coming is the second time the residents have been affected by flooding in recent months - the river burst its banks, following heavy rainfall brought by Storm Bert in rescued 12 people and four dogs from their flooded homes at the park near are currently 13 flood warnings across a flood warning, people should move their families and pets to a safe place, and vehicles to higher ground, turn off the gas, electricity and water and if available, put flood protection in place. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bournemouth mums back MP's call for playground improvements
"It's heart-breaking," says mum-of-two Karen Shearer as she looks at the rundown playground behind her."They loved coming here before school, after school, let off that bit of energy, takes them off their screen."Ms Shearer is one of the parents in Boscombe that says the local playground has deteriorated so badly their children no longer want to play the councillor in charge of parks and gardens at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has told BBC Politics South the authority has been forced to close some playparks "because we haven't the money to keep maintaining them". Kings Park had new wooden play equipment and a zip wire installed in November 2016, but much of it has weathered and become unsafe. In 2024 it was Shearer has two young children and says the adventure play equipment was very popular with them before it was removed: "My children enjoyed it so much. "They don't have that much time for sport in school. They've got nature here, trees, it's outdoor space, it's what's needed". BCP Council has an annual budget of more than £320m, with £150,000 being spent on parks and gardens annually. Councillor Andy Hadley, the portfolio holder for Climate, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, says they have spent the last two years reviewing all their 171 parks."Some we have had to close because we haven't the money to keep maintaining them," he says."We've actually had to stop doing the maintenance so we've had to say 'sorry, we can't fix that piece of kit, work out whether it's safe or not and if not, close it'." Parents are worried about the long-term impact on children. Niamh Fletcher-Kennedy says that because of it, children will spend too much time on screens, rather than playing outside."I've got two kids", Ms Fletcher-Kennedy explains, "it was their favourite thing to do and now if you ask them 'do you want to go to the playground?' the answer's 'no' because there's nothing to do and it's actually quite depressing to look at".She added that "there are hundreds of kids that use the park". The situation in Boscombe has now been highlighted in Parliament. Bournemouth East Labour MP Tom Hayes held a debate on improving public parks earlier this month. "I want politicians to care about children. Children are losing out on so many opportunities to make friends, have better mental health, to learn skills. "Parents are missing out on opportunities to make friendships," he MP added that "for 17 years Parliament hasn't talked about parks for more than an hour" and says it is "no wonder we've got playgrounds in such a state"."We've got to move from words to actually doing something," he says. "I'm calling on BCP Council to bring forward investment and a clear sense of when playgrounds are going to improve, and calling on the government to bring out the first national play strategy since 2008." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
