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21
Jul 2023
Council agrees to meet Knaresborough traders for electric vehicle parking talks
Traders in Knaresborough are to hold talks with North Yorkshire Council in an attempt to resolve the dispute over electric vehicle charging stations.
Ten charging stations were installed late last year in bays previously available to all vehicles in Chapel Street Car Park.
Most are frequently empty, while customers in petrol or diesel cars struggle to find spaces, particularly on Wednesday market days and Saturdays.
The issue has incensed some business owners who say they are losing customers and the town is losing parking revenue.
A petition calling for some of the 10 EV charging stations in Chapel Street Car Park to be made available to all cars is available in five shops.
The petition has attracted more than 500 signatures, which is the threshold for ensuring the council's Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee debates the subject.
To keep up the pressure, hairdresser Kelly Teggin asked the council to attend a meeting with town centre businesses.
Kelly Teggin
Ms Teggin said:
She emphasised traders supported EV parking, but supply currently out-stripped demand.
Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transport at the council, said its electric vehicle infrastructure strategy demonstrated its commitment to tackling climate change.
Mr Mason added:
He added there was a need for a publicly accessible charging network for people who didn't have access to charging at home.
Asked why the council chose to install the charging stations in the most central car park, where many older shoppers park, he said:
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