Badly-placed EV charging points could obstruct people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs, Green Party councillors have warned.
Norfolk County Council proposes to install 46 EV Charging points across Norwich in partnership with a commercial partner, EB Charging.
While Norwich Green Group supports improving the infrastructure for EV chargers as a step towards reducing the impact of climate change, we are concerned that most of them will be placed on the pavement to the detriment of pedestrians and wheelchair users.
There is a consultation taking place at the moment and we urge residents to take part using the email address provided.
Green Party Nelson Ward City Councillor Hannah Hoechner said: “It is great to see Norfolk County Council take steps to facilitate EV use in Norwich. We urgently need infrastructure that enables people to stop using petrol and diesel cars that emit CO2 and pollute our air. While EVs are an important part of the way forward though, the ultimate priority must be accessible and affordable public transport and safe walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure. Let’s learn from others how we can enable EV use without compromising the experiences of people getting around on foot, with children, or using a wheelchair.”
Green Party Wensum Ward City Councillor Liam Calvert said: “Electric cars are a step in the right direction for reducing climate change but we cannot accept that life should be made more difficult for pedestrians and wheelchair users to accommodate cars. Public electric charging facilities are ideally placed in car parks, but, if they need to be placed on roads they must not be placed on pavements at the expense of wheelchair users, parents with buggies or those who simply want to walk next to their friends.