Oldham’s recently adopted Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) Strategy and Action Plan explicitly commits to making charging "more accessible, appropriate and available for our residents. However the plan fails to directly address the issue of cross pavement charging in terms of its measurable targets. This is despite the government actively encouraging local authorities to explore these solutions and providing a framework for doing so.
Official Government Guidance: The Department for Transport has published official guidance titled "Cross-pavement solutions for charging electric vehicles." This document explicitly encourages local authorities to develop policies to manage the installation of safe solutions like pavement channels. It notes that they remove the trip hazard of trailing cables (a breach of the Highways Act 1980) and allow residents to access cheaper, smarter home energy tariffs.
Available National Funding: The government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund is designed to help councils deliver a "step-change" in the deployment of local charging. The official guidance confirms that "Local authorities can include cross-pavement solutions in their LEVI capital fund projects." This means Oldham Council has a direct, government-supported funding route to finance these trials, minimising the cost to local taxpayers.
The EVCI Strategy acknowledges the need to overcome "the barriers to EV ownership." For residents without off-street parking, the inability to charge safely and cheaply at home is arguably the single greatest barrier. Trialling a solution is a proactive step to remove it.
Oldham has declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming a "Green New Deal Council," with an ambitious target to decarbonise the borough by 2030. Encouraging the switch to EVs is fundamental to achieving this. By failing to provide solutions for a significant portion of its residents, the council is hindering its own progress towards this critical target.
Empowering Local Decision-Making: The national guidance is clear that the decision to permit these installations "rests with the relevant local authority." This petition simply asks Oldham Council to use this devolved power to the benefit of its residents, as the government intends.
Oldham doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. A clear blueprint for action has already been established by our immediate neighbours.
Manchester City Council is Already Doing It: As a key member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Manchester City Council has a clear policy for "Safe On-street Charging." Crucially, their policy goes beyond temporary cable protectors and includes a formal process for residents "applying for an electric vehicle (EV) cable channel." They are actively developing a scheme for residents to apply for these installations.
Adherence to the Greater Manchester Strategy: Oldham Council has adopted the GM EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy. This strategy is built on principles of creating a network that is inclusive and accessible. Excluding residents of terraced homes from the most affordable and convenient form of charging is fundamentally not inclusive. By trialling cross-pavement charging, Oldham would be better aligning with the spirit and goals of this shared regional strategy.
Demonstrates a Cohesive Regional Approach: When residents can see a neighbouring borough within the same city-region offering a practical solution to a shared problem, it creates inconsistency. Adopting a similar trial would ensure a more cohesive and fair approach to EV infrastructure across Greater Manchester, benefiting all residents.
This ePetition runs from 20/08/2025 to 31/12/2025.
11 people have signed this ePetition.