PRESS RELEASE First Electric Van for Sevenoaks Town Council

Published: 07 July 2020

In November 2019 Sevenoaks Town Council made Climate Change and Carbon Neutral initiatives a No 1 Priority. The priority will be included in consideration of all Town Council activities.

One of the Town Council vehicles was long overdue for renewal and it was agreed that an electric charge van be purchased. The van will be branded to enable members of the public to see it more easily around the town.

The new van is fully electric and covers 174 miles. The new electric van will be used by the Town Wardens who inspect play areas and carry out day to day tasks on the Town Council’s public open spaces.

Cllr Dr Merilyn Canet, Chairman of the Open Spaces & Leisure Committee said: “Sevenoaks Town Council is leading the way forward in improving the environment with its new vehicle. We now have an electric powered van for use around the town’s lovely parks gardens and cemeteries. Especially during these difficult times residents have enjoyed using the wellmaintained Green Spaces in Sevenoaks. The Town Council is investing in a more sustainable future for our shared community assets. Chairman Merilyn Canet welcomed the arrival of the new electric vehicle at the Open Spaces meeting on Monday evening”.

Sevenoaks Town Council has also arranged for public accessible vehicle charging points to be installed at its Council Offices site in Bradbourne Vale Road and at the new Bat & Ball Centre. Unfortunately, the installation of these facilities has been delayed due to COVID 19.

Sevenoaks Town Council’s No 1 Priority Climate Change and Carbon Neutral Initiatives

The Town Council has recently resolved to formally recognise the Government and KCC declarations for aiming for Zero Carbon and to integrate this within the vision and throughout the emerging Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) and within the Town Council’s general operation.

The Town Council will start work on creation of an Action Plan to review:

• Reducing cars / traffic particularly in relation to school traffic.
• STC new buildings to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. Existing buildings to be improved to be more sustainable with reduced carbon footprint where practicable.
• Include planting of more trees, where possible fruit and nut trees
• Continue to promote Refill Scheme and Sevenoaks Plastic Free Pledge
• Cycle racks / planters to be installed • Install drinking fountains where possible at STC sites
• Increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists
• NDP Transport Strategy recommendations including 20 mph, one-way system in town centre and shared space.
• Link STC open spaces together with ‘green routes’
• Encourage increased use of public transport – buses and trains by having improved facilities including live running information.
• Install electric car charging points at STC sites
• Consider enabling community initiatives for sustainable living e.g. Toy Library, Zero Waste Shop, Community Orchards, Community Cycle Workshops, Repair Café, promotion of alternative resources e.g. nappies.