Trip hazard fears over electric vehicle charging on High Street

A POTENTIAL row is brewing over electric vehicle (EV) owners trailing charging cables across the public pavement.

And the issue is expected to become increasingly common, with four in five Electric Vehicle (EV) owners having to charge up at home.

A concerned Newbury Weekly News reader sent this photograph, which he said was taken on a West Berkshire High Street.

He said:"So: do you unplug it and walk past?

"Or walk into the road, around the car and into the traffic?

"It seems now even the pavements aren't safe to walk on.

"Something needs to be done because it's going to get worse and tempers will flare."

As well as a potential trip hazard, EV cable manufacturers warn that they can eventually become worn enough to expose the wiring.

Wiring can also be made bare in cases of vandalism.

One manufacturer warns that even Residual Current Device (RCD) breaker technology, designed to prevent electrocution in such cases "has a minor risk of failing, making it vital to find a means of ensuring no pedestrian or animal walking along the kerb comes in contact with your cable".

The company goes on to recommend using hard plastic cable protectors with flourescent markings.

But it concedes that, even when lying flush on the pavement, these can pose a trip hazard, particularly after dark.

It concludes its advice by warning: "Having a EV cable run across the pavement and someone being injured could result in a claim.

"Take necessary precautions against this risk and ensure you are properly covered to avoid the risk of a financial hit."

The issue is expected to get worse; battery powered car sales outstripped sales of diesel engines in Europe at the end of last year.

According to national consumer organisation This Is Money, a third of households in England do not have off-street parking.

Four in five EV owners charge their cars at home - the rest using public or workplace devices, industry figures show.

West Berkshire Council has developed an Ultra Low Emission Strategy as part of its response to the climate crisis.

So far, however, it has only installed seven public charging points, all in Newbury town centre locations.

West Berkshire Council, as the highways authority, is also responsible for public safety.

The NWN asked the council for its policy on tackling any risks from EV cables.

We also asked what penalties could be imposed and when.

The council responded with a single sentence statement which said: "Our current enforcement would be to issue a nuisance and obstruction letter to the property owner/occupier under The Highways Act 1980 – section 143."

* WHAT is your view?

Have you spotted a potential hazard caused by an EV cable?

Should the rules be tightened?

Email john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk