'Local Lib Dems have been consistent in calling for electric vehicle charging points for Medway'

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that Medway Council have announced it will install electric vehicle charging points in three council owned car parks later this month at Rochester multi storey car park in Cory's Road, in Station Road car park, Rainham, and in the Commercial Road car park in Strood.

We have have consistently campaigned for 3 years in calling on the Council take "urgent action" after revealing it was one of over 100 councils across the country that had no plans to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points.

John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said "We have repeatedly asked the Council to take action to tackle rising transport emissions around our towns and to take steps to increase the number of EV charging points in our towns'. To Invest significantly in schemes to speed up the strategic roll-out of rapid charging points for Medway and invest in residential on-street charging, using the existing lamp post infrastructure wherever possible so as not to clutter the pavement.

Given electric and low emissions vehicles are key to tackling climate change, it is deeply concerning that it has taken so long for the Council to increase and install the number of charging points. We welcome this news, but stress that unless more action is taken to tackle out of control transport emissions, our local environment and the health of future generations in Medway will suffer.

The Councils' announcement shows progress in our campaign to encourage the rollout of electric car charging points and will help to give residents and businesses the confidence to invest in electric vehicles, improving the air quality along our busy local roads and help to protect our natural environment."

Electric vehicle adoption is one way to achieve multiple goals in Medway. First, air pollution is high in some parts of Medway. Enabling fast adoption of cleaner vehicles in Medway would help to reduce car emissions. Gillingham now ranks 4th on the most polluted towns according to WHO figures.

People deserve better, and Liberal Democrats demand better.

ENDS