BUSINESS leaders in a town have welcomed the news that Lancashire County Council has applied for a Government grant for six electric vehicle charging points.

However, Colne Business Improvement District (BID) board member, Peter Jagger, has expressed concerns over the proposed ban of non-electric vehicles using the bays which are earmarked to be installed outside Shackleton Hall arcade in the town.

Mr Jagger said: “We are concerned that making all six charging bays exclusive to electric vehicles from day one will result in the loss of valuable on-street parking in Colne.

“We have strong concerns about the adverse impact that the loss of these parking bays will have on the small and embryonic businesses situated in the Shackleton Hall arcade, as these are exactly the type of business which are vital to the future prosperity of our town.”

The Colne BID team is lobbying for only two bays be made exclusive to electric vehicles. Members want the other four bays to be open to anyone and have offered to monitor the situation and the usage data available to LCC via BP Chargemaster.