Where electric vehicle charging points could be installed in Corby, Desborough, Earls Barton, Kettering and Rothwell

A major project to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points in the county will see several installed this summer.

Northamptonshire County Council is working with Liberty Global, using the network infrastructure of their subsidiary firm Virgin Media, to install new points in Corby, Desborough, Earls Barton, Kettering, Rothwell and Northampton.

A consultation has been launched asking the public for their view on potential locations including 31 streets in the north of the county.

Katie Kirk began using her electric Volkswagen Golf in October and was charging it at one of a handful of points near the Corby Cube yesterday (Tuesday). She got her vehicle to cut down on fuel costs and help the environment and uses it every day to take her children to school in Mawsley from their home in Rutland.

She said: "I think this is great news. The infrastructure just isn't there at the minute.

"There's quite a few charging points in Corby but not many in Kettering.

"We went to Stamford and I looked at the app to find a point and couldn't see any. It was the same in Oadby near Leicester but Market Harborough was pretty good."

It's not known how much the scheme will cost but the possible charging point locations being consulted on are:

CORBY: Burghley Drive, Farmstead Road, South Road, Prentice Walk, Willow Brook Road, Studfall Avenue, Occupation Road

KETTERING: William Street, The Drive, Garfield Street, Roundhill Road, St Michael's Road, The Crescent, Seagrave Street, Telford Way, Linden Avenue, Durban Road, Alfred Street, Clarence Road, Bath Road, Pollard Street, Henson Way, Linnell Way

ROTHWELL: Fox Street, Tresham Street

DESBOROUGH: Pioneer Avenue, Princes Avenue

EARLS BARTON: New Street, Station Road, King Street, Churchill Road

The streets were selected by Virgin Media using a number of criteria including vehicle registrations in the area, resident requests for electric vehicle charging points, predicted future update data, access to off-street charging, areas close to high streets and local amenities, areas away from live equipment, areas away from the front of residential homes, areas where there is a good pavement width to allow for charge points and pedestrians and areas with existing power and connectivity.

One electric vehicle charging point will have the capability to charge two electric vehicles, with designated parking bays located next to the charge points.

Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for place, highways and the environment, Cllr Jason Smithers, said: “Sustainable travel is a priority for the county council and we take the lowering of carbon emissions extremely seriously.

“We hope that the installation of more electric vehicle charging points will not only help residents who own electric vehicles, but also encourage greater take up by the wider community.

"All the locations which have been identified have very limited, or no, off-street parking.

"Providing on-street charging points will help to remove a major barrier to having a ‘plug-in’ electric vehicle in these locations.

“Without the right infrastructure people are less likely to make the change, so it is vital that we support this investment and stimulate the industry.”

The scheme forms an important part of a broader Smart Move Northamptonshire initiative.

Maps detailing the exact location of the proposed sites can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nccvpach

The survey, closes on February 24. After this sites will be shortlisted and taken forward to the next stage, where residents will get another opportunity to comment on the project.

It comes as a ban on selling new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars in the UK will be brought forward from 2040 to 2035 at the latest under government plans.

The UK wants to achieve a target of emitting virtually zero carbon by 2050.