EXTRA funding is required to complete the roll-out of electric car charging points into the south of Powys – but more sites in Montgomeryshire are already in line for the upgrade.

In August, the first two locations went live with the new charging points at the Mount Street Car Park in Llanidloes, and the Maengwyn Street Car Park in Machynlleth.

There are eight more car parks scheduled for charging points, some of which will need to wait for the second phase of the project to allow for more funding to be found.

But others in Welshpool, Presteigne, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells, Newtown and Brecon will benefit from the initial roll-out.

Those in Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais will have to wait.

Funding of £100,000 was given to Powys County Council to place electric charging points at pay and display car parks all across Powys.

Cllr Kathryn Silk used the questions at anytime protocol to ask when Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais would get charging points.

Portfolio holder for the environment, Cllr Heulwen Hulme, replied: “Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais will form part of the second phase of development subject to securing the available funding.

“Unfortunately, this year we were not successful in our bid to Welsh Government for further funding, but we will continue to pursue further funding opportunities in the future.

“Some locations costs of connections are significantly higher and make the investment less viable in terms of grant available, and have therefore been deferred until suitable funding comes available or alternative solutions found.”

She added that delivering the charging points had partly been down to power supply and connection.

Because of this, the sites in Montgomeryshire could be switched on earlier than those further south.

In September 2019,  Powys County Council (PCC) received £100,000 from the The Energy Saving Trust (EST) which is administers the fund on behalf of the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles to install electric vehicle charge points in car parks in residential areas.

Sites where electric chargers will be placed soon are:

  • The Watton Car Park, Brecon
  • The Groe Car Park, Builth Wells
  • High Street Car Park, Llandrindod Wells
  • Back Lane Car Park, Newtown
  • Hereford Street Car Park, Presteigne
  • Church Street Car Park, Welshpool