Electric vehicle charging sign forced to be removed amid fears it created a 'danger and nuisance'

The sign shows the standard logo of a car being plugged in with "EV Charging" and "Next Left" in between other signs for services and a hotel.

The site outside The Fallow Field pub in Telford has eight high-powered EV chargers, which can add up to 100 miles of range in just 15 minutes of charge.

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Although the sign was unbranded, Shropshire Live reports that the charging facilities cannot have a larger sign at its hub because of planning permission amid fears it could create a "danger and nuisance".

It is believed that the sign was designed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

Despite this, the Council's Neighbourhood Enforcement Team asked for the sign to be removed within one week, or they could have been slapped with a fine and court action.

The council suggested that Osprey Charging could instead pay for advertising space to display information about its charging hub in Telford.

The move has been met with criticism from those within the electric vehicle industry, who say it puts a cloud over the council's net zero goals.

Lewis Gardiner, Osprey's operations director, said: "It is deeply frustrating that it is so difficult to signpost new EV charging facilities from council-controlled roads, even where signs adhere to current regulations.

"The removal of these signs not only hinders EV drivers who rely on clear information to access the charging hub, it stops local businesses and residents realising that there is a re-charging facility on their doorstep that could give them the confidence to switch to electric."

He highlighted calls from the sector for a standardised approach to signage for electric vehicle charging stations to give drivers more confidence of where they can charge in their local area and along their normal journeys.

READ MORE: New electric car charging signs will help British drivers finally ditch petrol and diesel

Data from the AA found that 50 per cent of drivers are in support of better signage for electric vehicles, especially along roads and motorways.

These calls have been backed by the likes of FairCharge and Instavolt, who argue it will give drivers more confidence but lamented the red tape and planning permission surrounding the installation of improved signage.

Data from Zapmap shows there are a total of 75,675 public EV chargers across the UK, with 1,064 added in the last month alone.

Osprey Charging is the fourth biggest rapid and ultra-rapid network operator with more than 1,220 high-powered devices around the country and eight per cent of the market share.

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This falls just behind the Tesla Supercharger network (1,861 chargers), InstaVolt (1,801) and BP Pulse (1,443).
GB News has contacted Telford and Wrekin Council for a comment.