COLNE BID welcomed news from Lancashire County Council (LCC) that it had applied for a Government grant for six electric vehicle charging points to be made available outside Shackleton Hall, Colne.
However, BID Board member, Peter Jagger, has taken the LCC team to task on their seemingly blanket ban of non-electric vehicles using the bays.
Peter explained:

“This infrastructure is to support a growing, but indeterminable future demand for on-street charging facilities, but we are concerned that making all six charging bays exclusive to electric vehicles from day one will result in the loss of valuable on-street parking in Colne. Furthermore, we have strong concerns about the adverse impact that the loss of these parking bays will have on the small and embryonic businesses situated in the Shackleton Hall arcade, as these are exactly the type of business which are vital to the future prosperity of our town.”

The Colne BID team is lobbying for a more strategic and practical approach:
(a) Initially only two bays be made exclusive to electric vehicles.
(b) That the other four bays have dual restriction – two hours no return in three hours (24 hours a day, seven days a week) for electric vehicles only and reduce the existing provision for Non-Electric vehicles from one hour – No return in two hours – 7.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. to a maximum stay of 30 minutes. This will create more ‘churn’ in Non-Electric vehicles, thus providing further opportunities for electric vehicles to park and charge.
(c) That usage of the Charging Points be monitored by Colne BID and the usage data available to LCC via BP Chargemaster. This would enable determination of the appropriate timing to make all of the bays exclusive to electric vehicles as demand increases.
Colne BID Chairman, Stuart Wilson commented:

“Pendle Borough Council could also apply for these grants to introduce electric charging in its wonderful free car parks across the town. We would encourage them to do so, as there is no cost to this scheme and we are eager to boost Colne’s eco credentials.”

Tagged car parking, colne, colne bid, colne business improvement district, colne town centre, electric cars, electric vehicle charging units, emma cornish, stuart wilson