Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council as Highway Authority are currently exploring on street charge charging solutions and are undertaking a small-scale street charging trial. Outside of the trial, in the interests of highway safety and in respect of future maintenance, the Highway Authority are not able to permit the trailing of cables across a public highway or footpath or the channelling of cables under the footpath. This is due to public liability issues, including the risk of trip hazards and more complex electrical safety issues at the point of use.
The Council is undertaking a small on-street charging trial within the borough. We are trialling two gully channel solutions to allow residents without off-street parking to safely charge their Electric Vehicles at home. The two gully channel solutions are Kerbo Charge and Gul-e by ODS. It is intended for the trial to last 12 months, to allow time for the Council analyse the success of the trial and assess our options going forward. Planning permission may be required for the installation of the gully channel, and as such we are advising residents taking part to make contact with the Planning Department. No works are to be undertaken in the highway until the necessary street works licence has been granted by the highway authority.
The Council is aware the gully channel solution will not be suitable for all properties, and we are continuing to explore on street charging solutions. If any future trials are identified residents would need to have or be able to demonstrate they have an order placed for an EV or hybrid vehicle in order to be considered. If you would like to find out more information about the current trial please email: EVCharging@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk .