Owners of electric cars and vans will soon be able to charge their vehicles in West Bay.

A fast - 22kW - charge point is being installed in West Bay Road car park and will be ready to use from February next year.

Dorset Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 and helping work towards the whole of Dorset becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.

Councillor Ray Bryan, cabinet portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "Providing drivers with more charge points for their electric vehicles is an exciting step towards our commitment to becoming carbon-neutral.

"It also helps make life easier for motorists who are seeking more environmentally friendly methods of travel.

"With government plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and more people seeking to go electric, now is the time to offer Dorset's residents, businesses and visitors sustainable travel options."

Work is planned to start in January when SSE and Western Power Distribution will begin installing new electrical connections.

The installation and management costs of the charge points will be met by Joju Charging and its funding partners, Gronn Kontakt, owned by Statkraft.

In return, Dorset Council receive a profit share generated by each charge point - which will be installed in other Dorset Council-owned car parks across the county - for the next 15 years.

Cllr Bryan said: "Dorset Council has a key leadership role to play in tackling climate change and dealing with its consequences, but we do need private sector investment to help us achieve this.

"Therefore, I am pleased we are working closely with Joju Charging and Gronn Kontakt to drive forward the use of electric vehicles in Dorset."

Chris Jardine, technical director at Joju Charging, said: "The Government has sent a clear signal with the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 - the future of transport is electric. This means installing millions of EV chargers in homes, businesses and public places.

"Our work installing charge points for councils across the south of England was recognised with the Public Sector Infrastructure Project of the Year at this year's EVIEs Awards. We also received the contractor of the Year Award for our wider work installing charge points in homes and businesses."

Future plans also include replacing Dorset Council's existing rapid chargers in East Street car park in spring 2021.

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