Search: Somerset Council

A proposed electric vehicle charging hub near the M5 motorway in Somerset has been cancelled, according to Weston Mercury. The project, which would have added charging infrastructure in the region, will not proceed. No details on site capacity or reasons for the cancellation were disclosed in the report.

Why it matters: The cancellation removes planned charging capacity near a major UK motorway corridor, highlighting ongoing challenges in delivering public charging infrastructure. For CPOs and contractors, it underscores the risks of site development pipelines and the need to understand local planning or commercial barriers.

TLB Development has lodged a planning application with Somerset Council for a 16-chargepoint electric vehicle hub offering 150kW+ ultra-rapid charging alongside a self-serve car wash at Oaktree Business Park in Highbridge. The site, located next to the McDonald's drive-thru and accessed via the existing business park spine road, would feature CCS2-compatible chargers supported by new substations, electrical cabinets and lighting. Pre-application advice from Somerset Council indicates the land, allocated for employment use under the Sedgemoor Local Plan and Isleport 2 Business Park SPD, is suitable for this complementary commercial development.

Why it matters: The proposal adds a significant ultra-rapid charging node to the A38 corridor between Burnham-On-Sea and M5 Junction 22, targeting high-footfall retail and motorway traffic. For charge point operators and contractors, the 16-bay scale and co-location with established food and fuel amenities signal a competitive tender opportunity in Somerset's employment land pipeline.

Somerset Council has introduced its first public service electric bus, a 16 seat low floor vehicle, on the 30 service in Frome. The wheelchair accessible, zero emission bus joins existing electric First buses operating across the county. Councillor Richard Wilkins said the vehicle will help cut the council's carbon footprint while providing a comfortable ride for passengers.

Why it matters: The deployment signals growing local authority investment in small format electric buses for town centre routes, creating potential procurement opportunities for accessible EV bus models. The addition to Somerset's existing electric fleet indicates sustained demand for charging infrastructure to support expanding municipal electric bus operations.

Somerset Council has expanded its Digital Slinky demand responsive transport service with seven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter based Cityline minibuses from EVM, comprising six diesel and one electric vehicle. The 16-seater low-floor minibuses feature wheelchair space, wide double-door entrance, driver information systems, digital destination displays and integrated ticketing, and will operate in Taunton and Wellington. The Cityline model has been in service with councils and public transport operators for over 12 years.

Why it matters: The procurement signals continued UK local authority investment in accessible demand responsive transport, with electric vehicles forming a small but growing share of new fleet additions. Operators and charging infrastructure providers should note the gradual electrification of council minibus fleets, though diesel remains dominant in this deployment.

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council has identified Oxford Street Car Park as a top priority site for new EV chargers, part of Somerset's £3.78 million government funded programme to install more than 1,600 low powered chargepoints across the county. The council assessed multiple locations at a meeting on 13 April, ruling out Dunstan Road and Lidl due to proximity to the Oxford Street site, while Pier Street Car Park was suggested for visitor charging.

Why it matters: The prioritisation of specific sites within a major county wide deployment gives installers and charge point operators clarity on where procurement activity will focus first. Somerset's £3.78 million programme represents a significant pipeline for low powered residential and destination charging infrastructure.

First Bus has applied to Bath & North East Somerset Council for permission to install six additional steel gantries to charge electric vehicles at its Bath depot, following planning consent granted last September for 64 ground-mounted chargers and four overhead gantries. The new application involves relocating the bus wash and demolishing the service lane building, with four gantries currently being installed on site. The overhead gantries will allow the depot yard to remain clear during the day for car parking and driver training.

Why it matters: The expansion signals sustained capital investment in depot electrification infrastructure by a major UK bus operator, creating follow-on opportunities for gantry fabrication, installation and grid connection work. Overhead charging systems that free up daytime yard space may become a reference design for other constrained urban depots.

North Somerset Council has warned that Carlton Street Car Park in Weston-super-Mare could begin to collapse if four electric vehicles park together on its upper levels, which have been closed since 2023. The council lost £250,000 on the facility in 2024/25 and is locked into a lease until 2058. Officers have recommended spending £2.6 million on repairs to reopen upper floors with reduced capacity to prevent overloading from EVs, which are approximately one third heavier than petrol and diesel vehicles.

Why it matters: The structural limitations of existing car parks built before the EV transition may force councils and operators to invest in costly retrofits or capacity reductions, affecting the business case for on-site charging infrastructure. This case highlights a hidden infrastructure challenge as EV adoption scales: older multi-storey facilities may require structural assessments before CPOs can safely deploy charging points.

Morrisons has applied to Taunton town council for permission to display signage on electric vehicle charging canopies at its Taunton store. The Somerset County Gazette reports the application covers branding for the covered charging infrastructure. No details on charger count or installation timeline were disclosed.

Why it matters: Signage applications often signal imminent or completed charging installations at major retail sites. For CPOs and contractors, supermarket forecourt projects represent high footfall, repeat use locations that can anchor local charging networks.

Somerset Council is consulting residents on where to deploy £3.78 million in government LEVI funding to install at least 1,606 low-powered public charge port sockets across the county. The scheme targets on-street and car park locations to support overnight and long-stay charging for residents without off-street parking, with installations limited to council-owned land.

Why it matters: The consultation signals an imminent procurement for a substantial on-street charging rollout in Somerset, offering CPOs and contractors a clear pipeline opportunity. Public input may shape site selection criteria and help bidders tailor proposals to community-identified demand hotspots.

Somerset Council has announced a milestone in its electric vehicle charging network expansion, though specific figures on the number of chargers or sites were not disclosed in the available excerpt. The development forms part of the council's ongoing infrastructure programme to support EV adoption across the Somerset region in the United Kingdom.

Why it matters: Local authority charging rollouts signal procurement opportunities for CPOs and contractors as councils accelerate infrastructure delivery. Somerset's progress may indicate further tender activity in the South West as regional networks expand to meet government targets.