Gloucestershire installs four on-street EV bays in Cheltenham despite local opposition
By Eve
Gloucestershire County Council has begun installing four dedicated EV charging bays on Lyefield Road East in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, despite objections from residents who say 99 per cent of locals oppose the scheme. Residents claim they received no meaningful consultation and that those with electric vehicles already have home chargers, while the street serves a nearby infant school and experiences rat-run traffic. The council highways team has defended the rollout.
Why it matters: The installation highlights friction between local authority rollout targets and community acceptance, a recurring challenge for CPOs and councils deploying on-street infrastructure. Procurement teams may face similar pushback where site selection lacks visible engagement or demand evidence.