Residents of Cheltenham’s Charlton Kings community are voicing strong opposition to plans for electric vehicle (EV) charging points on Lyefield Road East, fearing the move will exacerbate an existing traffic bottleneck on the narrow, one-way street.
Derry Banwell, a homeowner on Lyefield Road East, explained that the proposal, which would allocate four parking bays to EV chargers, threatens to reduce already scarce parking and increase congestion, particularly during peak school drop-off and collection times. The road serves several important community functions: it hosts Charlton Kings Infant School, a busy playgroup, and acts as a convenient route for parents dropping children at nearby Balcarras Senior and Charlton Kings Junior schools.
Though residents support sustainable transport initiatives, Banwell stressed that the location choice is problematic. “Lyefield Road East is already heavily congested, and removing parking spaces for EV chargers will create another bottleneck,” she said. Increased traffic and idling cars could also pose heightened safety risks for children walking or cycling in the area. Additionally, tight parking could lead to dangerous vehicle manoeuvres, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
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Local shops across the road, including a chemist, café, florist, and essential services like the post office housed at Smith & Mann, rely on the limited parking spaces. Banwell emphasizes that these spots are critical for village life and daily needs.
Residents also express frustration over a lack of consultation. The installation plans were only discovered by chance when a neighbor checked for updates on the nearby London Road closure. Since September, much of that traffic has been rerouted through Lyefield Road East, adding to existing pressure.
Banwell points out that nearby alternatives, such as the wider Copt Elm Road with large free parking, would be more suitable locations for such infrastructure.
“We feel abandoned by Gloucestershire County Council, who have ignored our concerns and prioritized the rollout without engaging the community,” Banwell said.
Gloucestershire County Council has acknowledged the project, sharing a public notice stating the EV charger installation will begin the week of March 2. The council affirms this effort aligns with its commitment to sustainable transport and aims to improve charging access for residents without private parking, promising to minimize disruption during installation.