VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS

Up to 500 lamp-posts in Derbyshire streets where homes do not have driveways could be fitted with electric vehicle charging points.Derbyshire County Council has identified that a key barrier for many residents getting an electric car is that even if they install a charging point, they do not have a driveway on which to park their vehicle. This would then mean residents have to drag a cable from their house to a car parked on the street carries the risk of someone else using your electricity to charge their own vehicle and also presents a hazard to people walking on the pavement. The council describes the scheme as an “innovative solution in some of the county’s more traditional housing areas”. These fittings would deliver slow charging at 5kWh, which the council says is similar to a home charging unit. The following are the potential car park locations which could be gaining rapid electric vehicle charging points – 50kW+:

• Beaconsfield Street, Long Eaton
• New Street, Long Eaton
• Waverley Street, Long Eaton
• East Street, Ilkeston
• Lower Bath Street, Ilkeston
• Stanton Road, Ilkeston

ROAD WORKS

Temporary traffic lights are in place on a Tamworth Road in Long Eaton. Work has started by National Grid which is expected to last for 10 weeks. The work is part of wider plans to construct a new water treatment works in Church Wilne and involves laying a cable which is around 4km in total, along Tamworth Road National Grid apologise for any inconvenience caused. The project is due to be complete by 2025.

PROJECT SET TO MOVE FORWARD

Erewash Borough Council looks set to claim funding from Government to improve the Long Eaton Walking and Cycling Network. Three schemes are proposed as part of the Long Eaton Town Deal project; a new walking and cycling bridge at Britannia Road to allow residents north of Derby Road to access the town centre along the canal towpath; extending the lighting in West Park to serve all the park gateways and encourage its use as a through-route; and a replacement pedestrian bridge at Broad Street to improve the link between the town centre and West Park. Consultation is already underway to help inform the preferred design option for the Broad Street replacement bridge.

It is recommended that Council Executive endorses the project summary and approves receipt of the remainder of the £5,956,500 Towns Fund capital grant for the project. If approved at the March 21st meeting, a business case will be submitted to government to claim the funding, with the project planned to be delivered by March 2026. Councillor Carol Hart, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says: 

“The Walking and Cycling Network project is a fantastic initiative for the town, which aligns with the council’s priority of ‘planning for the future’ and ‘building sustainable communities where residents have good access to facilities and transport links for their wellbeing’. It is something that will be of benefit to many people in Erewash.”

On July 7th, 2021 council executive  approved heads of terms with the government to deliver projects in the Long Eaton Town Investment Plan using the £24.8 million of Town Deal funding. More information about the Long Eaton Town Deal can be found at www.longeatontowndeal.org 

COUNCIL TO LAUNCH CARBON GRANTS

 A community carbon grants scheme to help reduce carbon emissions is set to be rolled out later this year by Erewash Borough Council. The scheme, part of the Shared Prosperity Fund – Investing in our Communities, will offer financial assistance to eligible community and charitable organisations to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings they use and reduce carbon emissions. The council will also continue to offer energy efficiency upgrades to eligible householders under the scheme. These projects have been allocated £400,000 over three years from the council’s £2.8 million share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Councillor Garry Hickton, Lead Member for Environment, says: 

“This is a fantastic project that will improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes and also help community groups and charities reduce carbon emissions from the buildings they use. This is at a time when everyone is having to pay more for heating due to rising energy costs.”

The council continues to work with partners to provide energy efficiency improvements to eligible homes in the borough using funding provided by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. This scheme has seen a number of properties fitted with energy saving measures such as external wall insulation and solar panels, resulting in warmer homes and lower carbon emissions.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

GRANTS FOR STREET PARTIES

Erewash residents planning aright royal celebration for the Coronation of King Charles III in May have the chance to apply for funding to help organise a traditional street party. Erewash Borough Council has confirmed that it has made grants from £50, up to £100, available for street parties in the borough. Residents are urged to apply for a grant early to ensure they are not disappointed, as the scheme will be operating on a first come, first served basis, with grants paid from the first week in April.  

Individuals and groups have until 5pm on April 21 - subject to funding remaining available - to bid for money towards their royal celebration. Anyone who requires a road closure for their event should email Democratic@erewash.gov.uk or call 0115 9071154.  To guarantee applications being processed, they must be submitted by 5pm on March 24. Every attempt will be made to process applications received after this deadline but we cannot guarantee that orders will be issued. Any road closures needed will be free of charge.

 King Charles III's coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. During the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. The grant application form and full details of how to apply are available at erewash.gov.uk/grants. Please note that grant funding cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol. Councillor Paul Maginnis, Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, says:

 “We are delighted to once again be providing street party grants so that communities across Erewash can celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III in style. Street parties bring people together and I would urge party planners to put in their bids for funding as soon as possible.”

Contact the council’s Community Engagement Officer Colin Handley on 0115 907 2257 or via email: ebcsmallgrants@erewash.gov.uk for more information