Gloucester Street EV chargepoint installation

What is happening? 

This weekend, starting Saturday 7 December 2024, work will begin to install EV chargepoints on Gloucester Street in Cirencester, as pictured below:  

What will be in place? 

Saturday and Sunday 7-8 December: A road closure will be in place between 7am-7pm. If further time is needed to complete the installation, then the work will continue on Monday 9 December between 9:30am-2:30pm.

·If necessary, work will also be carried out during the following weekend:14-15 December, between 7am-7pm and Monday 16 December between 9:30am-2:30pm.

The extent of the road closure is pictured in red on the map below:

Will there be access for residents? 
 
The road closure will be sign-posted from the junction with Spitalgate Lane to the junction with Barton Lane. Only residents who reside along this section of Gloucester Street will be permitted along Gloucester Street except within the closure/work area.

The one-way system will be temporarily suspended along this stretch to allow vehicles to turn around and exit the street towards Barton Lane if necessary. Local Traffic management operatives will be on site to assist residents.

Will there be access for pedestrians and cyclists? 

Pedestrian and Cyclist access will be maintained. Cyclist will need to dismount and walk around the closure/works site area.

Why is the work happening? 

The rollout of public EV chargepoints aims to support residents who do not have access to off street parking, making it easier for people to switch to electric vehicles. The lack of access to chargepoints is regularly cited as a major concern by motorists considering switching to EVs. Following detailed planning and extensive engagement, we have already installed 234 EV chargepoints across the county.

Near this particular location there are many properties with no off-street parking. Without convenient access to chargepoints, residents would be unable to charge an EV overnight close to their home, making switching difficult.

We carried out engagement with local residents last year. Following this engagement and additional meetings with residents we did move the siting of the electrical grid connection box to mitigate concerns expressed about its impact on the setting of historic properties. We also explored alternative sittings suggested by residents, but these alternatives were found to be untenable due to the presence of utilities, including gas mains. To mitigate any disruption to existing parking patterns, we are adopting a phased approach. We plan to mark out two bays initially for EV drivers and leave two bays unmarked. We will monitor demand for EV charging and only mark out these extra bays when demand increases.

During construction access will be maintained to businesses and residential properties in Gloucester Street.

This programme is part of our strategy to create a Greener Gloucestershire, as EVs help to reduce the impact of transport on our climate and improve local air quality. 

Further information 

Read about Gloucestershire County Council’s plans for EV chargepoints across the county.