Published: 04 June 1999
A Practical Response To The Need For "Green" Transport
Vasudev Turwani of London Borough of Lambeth describes the council’s efforts to encourage Green Transport.
In February 1995, Dr. Simon Roberts, a resident of 4 Lansdowne Gardens, London SW8 wrote to the council requesting for support of an important environmental project in London Electricity. To develop the first on street charging system in the UK for an electric car. The residents objective had received support from several sources including the local Member of Parliament, Ward Councillors, London Electricity, Capital Campaign for Cars, the Electric Vehicle Association, The Battery Vehicle Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection.
London Electricity began this project in August 1995. Despite the prevalence of charging points in other countries, the installation of an on street facility in the UK had proved surprisingly difficult. Research into this field had failed to identify any previous cases of a recharging facility being installed on the public highway, which could have provided guidance on the practical and legislative issues relating to this matter. As there was no off street parking associated with 4 Lansdowne Gardens, recharging a vehicle at this location required it to be connected to an electrical supply when parked on the public highway. Whilst the resident originally intended that he would own the electrical equipment involved, discussions with London Electricity resulted in them agreeing to undertake its development, installation and maintenance under their powers as a Statutory Undertaker.
London Electricity appointed a specialist consultant, E.A. Technology, to devise a recharging system that met the following criteria.
1. The cable to the vehicle must pass under the footway and not cross the kerb.
2. It must be immune from the effects of water.
3. It must, as far as possible, be vandal proof, but if vandalised must be fail safe.
4. It must be reliable, clean, and easy to use.
5. The connector must not become live at mains voltage unless it is properly connected to the car.
6. The cable system proposed to be interlocked so that it can only be used when the upstand housing the equipment is in its closed state.
7. There should be earth connection with the car.
8. It must be impossible to drive the car unless the charging cable is physically disconnected.
9. As far as possible, standard commercially available components must be used.
On 27th February 1997, the Council’s Transport Planning Sub-Committee considered the report concerning the installation of an electrical power supply and road markings for recharging of an electrically propelled vehicle.
The proposals contained in the report satisfied the Council’s Strategic Principals for Transport in Lambeth, Environment Policies, Unitary Development Plan etc. However, Lansdowne Gardens was designated a Conservation Area over 30 years ago and it is therefore one of the very first Conservation Areas to be declared in the country. This reflected its importance in terms of the quality of its historical and architectural environment which the Council has a statutory duty to preserve and enhance the streetscape by reducing the highway signs and other street furniture to the minimum to avoid street clutter. The Council’s Conservation Officer was therefore concerned that the proposal to introduce a charging point and a sign post would obviously be contrary to this objective; not only by virtue of the impact of the individual charging post but also on account of the precedent it may serve for future similar proposals in this Conservation Area.
He acknowledged the potential benefits to the Environment which an electrically propelled vehicle would have over one which runs on petrol or diesel. Whilst he argued that the impact that just one charging post may have upon the streetscene would be minimal, he was concerned that in the event of several, or taking the optimum scenario in terms of improved air quality, most of the residents in this Conservation Area requesting charging facilities, the cumulative impact of an avenue of posts marching down a street such as this would be far greater.
Nevertheless, the Sub-Committee, having considered all the comments in the report, congratulated Dr. Roberts for all his hard work in pioneering this project and recommended for its implementation.
In the light of the Council not yet having a policy with regard to the form of a provision of bays for electric vehicles, an advisory bay was proposed in this case so as to avoid the protracted procedures and associated costs of Committee approval, advertisement and making a Traffic Order and consideration of possible objections. The works were carried out on a license under Section 181 of the Highways Act 1980.
Policy proposals in respect of future provision of facilities for electric vehicles are being developed including the possibility of the Council’s own fleet of vehicles. These proposals will facilitate the use of electrically propelled vehicles which are virtually pollution free at their point of use. Should the proposals proceed and be found to work in practice (or other difficulties to which solutions could be sought are identified) this will promote the use of electrically propelled vehicles, which would improve the environment in urban areas.
The need for clean transportation options could not be more urgent. Recent research results from London Hospitals reveal a clear link between car exhaust pollution and heart attacks. Although electric cars are not the total solution, they surely have a significant contribution to make towards the new era of cleaner cities. The completion of the first on street charging in March 1999 in Lansdowne Gardens in the Borough of Lambeth is seen as a small but essential step in the right direction.
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