UK councils can remove pavement charging cables under Highway Act, drivers warned
By Eve
Car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have warned UK electric vehicle drivers without driveways that running charging cables across public footpaths may require council permission and can be removed by authorities under the Highway Act if deemed dangerous. Rule 239 of the Highway Code, updated in 2022, requires drivers to park close to charge points, avoid creating trip hazards with trailing cables, and display warning signs. The guidance highlights risks including pedestrian trips, potential legal action, fire hazards from daisy chained cables, and electrocution risks in wet conditions.
Why it matters
The regulatory reminder underscores a persistent infrastructure gap for UK residents without off street parking, a constraint that affects demand forecasting and site selection for public charging networks. Councils' enforcement powers may accelerate pressure for kerbside charging solutions and influence how charge point operators prioritise residential street deployments.
Source
- Original title
- “UK EV owners without driveway told pavement rule means 'council can remove' and permission”
- Published
- 12 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- EV Charging
- Place
- United Kingdom
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