More chargepoints for the Cotswolds

Cotswold District Council has installed 24 new electric vehicle chargers in car parks across the area.

Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Tetbury ar the latest locations to gain this infrastructure, with chargers already available in Bourton-on-the-Water, Northleach, and Cirencester.

Four chargers will be installed in both Maugersbury Road Car Park in Stow-on-the-Wold and Old Market Way Car Park in Moreton-in-Marsh, with six chargers to be erected in West Street Car Park in Tetbury.

There are also plans to install ten chargers at the Brewery Car Park in Cirencester. All of these chargepoints will be accessible 24/7, with overnight parking offered free of charge.

The new infrastructure comes part of the council’s wider strategy in tackling the climate emergency, with Climate Emergency UK having showed the council had nearly doubled its climate score (an assessment on the council’s action taken towards net zero, placing it in the top 15 per cent of councils nationwide.

Councillor Mike McKeown, cabinet member for climate change and digital, said: “This result reflects the hard work and commitment of our officers and members. We’ve embedded climate action into everything we do, from infrastructure to community engagement, and we’re seeing the results.

“The installation of these new electric vehicle charging points is another positive step in the right direction, as well as a practical way to support both residents and visitors in making the switch to electric vehicles. One of the most effective actions households can take to combat climate change is replacing petrol or diesel cars with electric alternatives. They also have significantly lower running costs, making them a financially attractive option for many.

“Cotswold District Council is proud to be leading this change locally; of the 150 publicly accessible EV chargers across the district, the council has installed 49.”