Electric car charging points are to be installed at the Barton Hill car park in Dawlish, with further chargers to be introduced elsewhere in the town at a later stage.

Teignbridge Council is planning to install the double rapid charger points there by this time next year, along with Newfoundland Way car park and Forde House in Newton Abbot, and Eastcliff car park in Teignmouth.

It has also put in a bid for Government funding for a further 12 car park sites in the district as part of the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme.

These will be in Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Buckfastleigh, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey, Moretonhampstead, Shaldon, Ashburton, Teignmouth, Starcross and Widecombe, as well as Dawlish.

Cllr Jackie Hook, executive member for climate change, said: "While reducing car use is a key aim going forwards, I recognise that in our largely rural district the car is here to stay.

"Cars will increasingly be low emission and electric and the district council has a role in kickstarting charging provision and increasing public confidence to encourage electric vehicle purchase. I'm pleased therefore that we will soon see a significant growth of public electric vehicle chargers across our district."

Although most people will charge electric vehicles from either home or work, Teignbridge said it recognises that it can encourage the transition by the provision of chargers in car parks.

The council is already requiring developers of new housing and employment space to provide electric vehicle charging.

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