CITY OF WESTMINSTER – CITY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITIES

7564/JH

A: WSP, Room 603, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0AU. T 020 3116 5995

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DELEGATED AUTHORITY REPORT – 7564 TRAFFIC ORDERS INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE “RAPID” RECHARGING BAYS (Bayswater, Bryanston & Dorset Square, Church Street, Hyde Park, Knightsbridge & Belgravia and Warwick Wards)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION With the demand for electric vehicles continuing to grow, the number of on-street recharging points is increasing, especially as many properties do not have the facilities to charge an electric vehicle off-street. The City Council is committed to increasing the number of on-street charging points each year so that the infrastructure is in place to enable Westminster residents and businesses to drive and recharge around the City in line with London’s Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS) programme. Different types of charging points are utilised according to the user to ensure that the most appropriate infrastructure is in place to meet the current and future charging needs of residents, businesses and visitors, using innovative charging solutions and technologies where possible. Residential electric vehicle charging is likely to continue to be provided by “traditional” standard charging points in designated bays or by using the more innovative technology of charging from lamp columns. Rapid charging points are aimed at providing charging for high mileage users such as Zero Emission Capable (ZEC) taxis and public hire vehicles, and freight and fleet operators. These points could also be used by residents and visitors if standard charging is not available. The City Council has been working with Transport for London (TfL) to develop a network of “rapid” chargers which provide faster and more efficient charging. Electric vehicles can be charged at a rapid charger in as little as 20 to 30 minutes, as opposed to three to seven hours at standard recharging points. Five rapid charging points have been installed in Westminster to support the growing number of ZEC taxis in minimising operational downtime and to ensure that they can stay in “zero emission mode” for as long as possible. It is proposed to introduce two additional rapid charging points / bays for electric taxis in Belgrave Square. In addition, rapid chargers are proposed in Brook Street, Gillingham Street, Rossmore Road and Westbourne Park Road to support the use of electric vehicles for servicing and deliveries, as well as residents. These locations were identified by the City Council, following requests from residents and other key stakeholders, and are considered suitable for the installation of rapid charging points. The locations were then agreed with TfL and the necessary planning permission

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for each location was granted in January / February 2020. Full details of the proposals are set out below. The recharging bays will operate “at any time”, with a maximum stay of one hour between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Vehicles will not be permitted to return to the recharging bay on the same day. The rapid charging points and bays will be installed, operated and maintained by ESB, and users will be able to use the chargers on a “Pay As You Go” basis or as a registered customer. Further information is available at https://www.esb-evsolutions.co.uk/. DETAILS OF PROPOSALS

Location Planning Ref Drawing No. Proposal

Belgrave Square 19/09512/FULL 7564/JH/1 Replace a residents' parking space on the east side of the traffic island site opposite No. 12, with an electric taxi recharging bay.

Belgrave Square 19/09513/FULL 7564/JH/2 Relocate 3 diplomatic parking bays, on the south side of the traffic island site between Nos. 1 and 48, westward by 2.5 metres to replace a residents' parking bay and to facilitate the introduction of an electric taxi recharging bay.

Brook Street 19/09519/FULL 7564/JH/3 Replace 7 metres of residents' parking on the west side, outside the private gardens, with an electric vehicle recharging bay.

Gillingham Street 19/09518/FULL 7564/JH/4 Replace a pay-by-phone parking bay on the north-west side, outside No. 20, with an electric vehicle recharging bay.

Rossmore Road 19/09516/FULL 7564/JH/5 Replace 7 metres of shared-use parking on the north-west side, at its junction with Lilestone Street, with an electric vehicle recharging bay.

Westbourne Park Road

19/09509/FULL 7564/JH/6 Replace 7 metres of residents' parking on the north-west side, outside No.1 Landor House, with an electric vehicle recharging bay. Replace a "White Badge" disabled person's personal parking bay on the south-east side, outside No. 121, with 5.5 metres of residents’ parking.

RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Traffic Orders are made to facilitate the proposals outlined above and shown on the attached drawings.

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STATEMENT OF REASONS The proposed introduction of electric taxi rapid charging points will provide electric taxis with dedicated parking bays to recharge in as little as 20 minutes, thereby minimising operational downtime and ensuring that those vehicles operate in ‘zero emission mode’ for as long as possible. The provision of rapid recharging points for use by all electric vehicles will support the use of electric vehicles by businesses and residents. The proposals comply with the relevant planning policy and guidance within national and local development plan strategies. The proposed electric vehicle rapid recharging points are appropriate within the existing local environment and, as a part of the wider electric vehicle recharging network, will contribute to an innovative and sustainable transport solution in London.

I agree / do not agree to the above recommendation and statement of reasons and give the following authorisations:

(a) that procedural steps be taken with a view to Traffic Orders being made under

sections 6, 45, 46, 49 and 124 of and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

(b) that subject to no objections being received as a result of public notices and consultation, such Traffic Orders be made as proposed; and

(c) that in the event of objections being received, they be referred to me for consideration and reported to the Cabinet Member(s) if I consider it to be necessary in accordance with City Council procedure, following which I will decide whether or not the Traffic Orders should be made, with or without modification.

Signed Date 17/04/2020

Project OfficerElectric Vehicle Charging InfrastructureCity Highways

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Head of ParkingCity Management and Communities

21/4/2020

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