Work gets underway to install almost 30 new electric vehicle charging points in council car parks

Starting this week, work is getting underway to install 28 new 22kW EV charging points in several council car parks in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

They are thanks to a £300K grant from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

Each charging point will be able to charge two vehicles at the same time, significantly improving access to chargers for residents and visitors.

Locations have been chosen specifically to provide an off-street EV charging option for residents living nearby, who currently use on-street parking spaces. However, they will also be available for all other car park users.

Their aim is to help cut carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, and encourage greater numbers of people to shift to more environmentally sustainable modes of transport across the district.

Works, being carried out by Suffolk-based firm Anglia Car Charging, have been phased to ensure as minimal disruption as possible. They will start from this week and continue throughout this year. 

Visitors are advised to refer to specific signage in each car park for information about when works will be taking place. 

 Mid Suffolk car parks due to benefit from the new chargers are: 

 Ipswich Street  
Stowmarket 

Bury Street 
Stowmarket  

Milton Road 
StowmarketIliffe Way  
Stowmarket

Union Street West
Stowmarket

With the following Babergh car parks also benefitting: 

 The Cock Horse Inn 
Lavenham 

 Magdalen Road (long stay) 
Hadleigh 

Girling Street 
Sudbury 

North Street 
Sudbury 
 

Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “Having the right infrastructure in the right places is key in helping our communities thrive – and our car parks are no exception. Installing many more EV charging points in Mid Suffolk is an exciting step forward that supports greener forms of transport, helps our residents reduce carbon emissions and improves air quality.”

And Daniel Potter, cabinet member for environment at Babergh District Council, added: “Ensuring our facilities, including our car parks, are fit for the future is really important. Making sure we have enough EV infrastructure in the right places is a key part of that. These new EV charging points will be a real step forward in supporting our residents, and visitors to our beautiful district, to reduce their carbon emissions and improve air quality. 

“Please do look out for signage in our car parks for information on when works will be taking place.” 

The work forms part of a rolling programme to install more electric vehicle charge points in Babergh and Mid Suffolk, with plans currently being drawn up for further charge points in 2024.