Residents of Cheltenham’s Charlton Kings area are raising alarms about plans to install electric vehicle (EV) charging points on Lyefield Road East, fearing the move will exacerbate traffic congestion and create dangerous bottlenecks.
Derry Banwell, a local homeowner, expressed strong opposition to the project, which would convert four existing parking bays into EV charging spots. Although residents support sustainable transport initiatives, they worry about the chosen location.
“Lyefield Road East is a narrow, one-way street that already suffers from heavy congestion, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times,” Banwell explained. The road serves as a key access point to Charlton Kings Infant School, a nearby playgroup, and acts as a cut-through for families traveling from Balcarras Senior and Charlton Kings Junior schools.
READ MORE: Winning EuroMillions Numbers: Full National Lottery Results with Thunderball on Friday, February 27, 2026
READ MORE: Cotswolds Residents Warned After Surge in Burglaries Targeting High-Value Homes
She emphasized that the installation of charging bays will likely eliminate the few free parking spaces available, further squeezing road space and creating “yet another bottleneck” along this busy route. The increased traffic and resulting vehicle idling could raise safety concerns for children walking, cycling, or crossing the street.
Additionally, Banwell noted that shoppers rely on these parking spaces for access to essential local businesses such as the chemist, café, Post Office at Smith & Mann, and the florist. She stressed that child and pedestrian safety must take precedence in any transportation planning on this narrow, school-servicing road.
Residents feel sidelined in the decision-making process. Banwell revealed, “The residents have been completely ignored by every avenue contacted. We only learned about the impending installation of road markings by chance, when a neighbor checked the highways website while looking for reopening updates on London Road.”
With the temporary closure of London Road since last September, the majority of local traffic has been rerouted through Lyefield Road East, compounding congestion problems. While nearby Copt Elm Road offers wider streets and ample parking, including long-stay spots used by camper vans, Lyefield Road East remains cramped and heavily trafficked.
“All of this has left us at our wits’ end,” Banwell said. “We feel abandoned by Gloucestershire County Council for ignoring our concerns and overriding our quality of life.”
Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed that work will begin on the EV charging installation the week starting March 2 as part of its wider effort to support sustainable transport and improve charging access for residents without off-street parking. The council assured that necessary steps will be taken to minimize disruption during installation.
Nonetheless, local residents remain deeply concerned about the potential increase in traffic bottlenecks, parking pressures, and safety risks on this vital community road.