Barnet announces £400,000 car charging investment

Barnet Council has committed to invest £400,000 in electric vehicle charging points in a bid to help improve air quality in the borough.

Making the announcement on National Clean Air Day today (15 June) at the launch of the Taking Care of our Neighbourhoods campaign, the council said it will aim to inform residents about things they can do to improve air quality, such as switching off vehicle engines when stationery and, where possible, consider walking and cycling to school or work.

Councillor Cohen (centre) at the launch of the Taking Care of our Neighbourhoods campaign today

Councillor Dean Cohen, chairman of Barnet’s environment committee, who attended campaign launch at St John’s Church of England Primary School in Friern Barnet, said: “I am committed to reducing air pollution and will continue to look for innovative ways that we can improve air quality across the borough.

“We are proud to have been awarded Cleaner Air Borough status by the Mayor of London but there is still work to be done; that’s why I want to encourage residents to have their say on our air quality plans.”

Using the council’s online engagement tool, Geovey, residents are invited to have their say on the type of electric vehicle charging points and where they are installed.

To continue its work to improve air quality the council is consulting on an Air Quality Action Plan and is encouraging residents to have their say. The new plan outlines the steps the council will take from 2017 to 2022 to improve air quality across the borough.