Praise for plans to introduce electric car charging points at five Wrexham car parks

Charging points for electric cars will soon be installed in car parks across Wrexham County Borough.

Described as “long overdue”, members of the Executive Board unanimously voted in favour of
progressing with the project and moving to reduce Wrexham’s carbon footprint.

Installation of the charging points will be split into two phases, with the first focusing on using council operated car parks in the town and across the county borough.

The £132,500 cost for this will be funded through the council’s existing cash limited carbon budget which is supplemented from ‘green’ revenue.

19 sites across Wrexham were identified for their suitability, however five locations have been identified as being suitable in terms of their deliverability, anticipated utilisation and connection costs. These are:

• Waterworld Car Park:
• Ty Pawb;
• Ty Mawr Country Park;
• Alyn Waters Country Park; and
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Trevor Basin).

Phase 2 of the project, which would include charging points at a further five car parks, would be dependent on Welsh Government funding.

Speaking at this week’s Executive Board, Cllr David Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said: “This is the future, it is a real positive statement. It is saying to people welcome to Wrexham, invest in Wrexham and bring your tourism to Wrexham.

“It is a positive statement and a commitment from this council to invest and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Lead Member for Housing, Cllr David Griffiths welcomed the report, describing the move to introduce charging points in Wrexham as “long overdue”.

Cllr Graham Rogers queried if the project will be operated by a private company and if there would be any additional cost to those using the charging points.

Cllr Bithell confirmed it will not be managed in house and that the council will undertake a procurement exercise for those interested in running the service.

He added: “If people park in Waterworld they will pay the appropriate parking charge and the appropriate tariff for charging the vehicle. Is is cheaper than buying petrol and diesel.”