COUNCILLORS in Torridge are frustrated that electric vehicle (EV) charging points aren’t working in some of the council’s car parks.

The district council has charging points in four car parks, half of which have been out of action for long periods, members of the full council were told.

Lead member for climate change, Cllr Peter Hames (Green, Appledore), said: “The Appledore charging point has been out of action for two years. 

“It’s not encouraging people to buy electric cars or helping the climate emergency.”

Head of communities and place, Sean Kearney, said he understood the problem to be intermittent, but it is “unacceptable” and he will go back to the company who lease the space and provide the units.

Cllr Doug Smith (Lib Dem, Great Torrington) added: “The charging points in Torrington were not working for a very long time, it wasn’t intermittent, and it was well over a year and causing major problems. 

“They are on a national database so people were coming here and finding they didn’t work.”

The council has charging points in the Churchfields (long stay) car park in Appledore, Sydney House (long stay) car park in Torrington, Riverbank (short stay) car park in Bideford and Manor (long stay) car park in Holsworthy.

A report is to be brought back to the climate working group and full council.