21 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport: Rogerstone residents object to new EV chargers
Rodney Beacham, a resident of Oak Road, said: 'EV charging bays are wide, and we'll clearly lose space we can't afford to lose.
'It's already rammed here. We're going to see fewer spaces, and people from elsewhere could come here to charge in spots we used to park in.'
Paul Griffiths, another resident, added: 'It's a ridiculous idea. They've made their decision without thinking about us.
'Parking is already constrained here. If they're encouraging others to park here, where are we going to park?'
On the broader rollout, he said: 'Fewer than 100 spaces, what impact will that really have in the context of global carbon emissions? Why are they making our lives difficult just to achieve some token effort?'
Newport City Council began installing EV chargers in April 2025 as part of its Net Zero plan. Rogerstone is among the first areas to receive the new infrastructure, with compact chargers fitted into existing streetlights to minimize disruption.
The streetlight-style units, installed by Urban Fox, are designed to avoid the need for dedicated bays or pavement space.
The council say the chargers will be placed in areas where driveways are scarce, aiming to provide practical options for residents considering electric vehicles.
Rogerstone's inclusion reflects the council's goal of equitable access across Newport's communities. While the rollout has been welcomed by some, concerns persist about the impact on parking.
Residents worry that converting bays to EV-only use could worsen parking pressures, especially in densely populated streets.
The council has not yet released data on how many spaces will be affected throughout the Newport authority area.
Chargers are operated by providers such as Dragon Charging and PodPoint. Users can access them via RFID cards or mobile apps, with costs varying by operator.
Standard parking fees apply in off-street car parks. Newport also aims to meet national standards for inclusive infrastructure.
The rollout in Rogerstone is seen as a step toward making EV ownership more viable for suburban residents. The success of the initiative will depend on balancing convenience, accessibility, and community impact.
Newport City Council has stated the charging points will be among the first streetlight-style units installed in Wales.
A spokesman said: 'These charging points will be installed on streets where homes lack off-street parking, such as driveways or garages.
'They're ideal for residential areas, allowing us to expand the network without taking up valuable street space.'
