By Euan Duncan, Local Democracy Reporter

Published 2nd Feb 2026, 12:26 GMT

Installing more electric vehicle charging points across Luton will be combined with traffic regulation orders to ensure easy access to the parking bays for motorists, a meeting heard.

An option to reserve these spaces for charging purposes only, backed up by the traffic tariffs, has been agreed by the borough council’s executive.

This would protect access to the charge point for EV drivers, according to a report to the committee. If there were any issues with petrol or diesel vehicles blocking access to a charge point, the local authority would have the powers to act, said the report.

“This approach would provide clear messaging from the outset, avoiding complications later. Maintaining access to the charge points would create confidence in the charging network and help drive the transition to electric vehicles.

“Gaining support from residents to install charge points could be more difficult,” warned the report. “It might be perceived as the council removing parking from the area.

“Protecting charge point access through a traffic order is the preferred industry approach. This is seen as the most effective way to ensure customers can access their charge points and allows the operator to maximise their use.

“A site selection process includes modelling future demand using population data, potential income, and spatial information around housing types, street function and available pavement area.

“Places showing the highest potential EV uptake are on a priority list for installation in the first year, with the remaining sites to be delivered during the next four years.”

Deputy council leader and Labour Beech Hill councillor Javed Hussain told the executive: “The local authority has been awarded £1.2m local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) funding.

“This will allow the council to work in partnership with an operator to install more than 300 charge points across Luton,” he explained.

“A site selection process is guiding the planning of new charge points, resulting in 245 proposed locations. Most of the charge points will be sited in on-street locations to ensure accessibility for electric vehicle drivers.

“The council needs to adopt an appropriate approach to protect the charge points from being blocked by petrol and diesel vehicles. It’s proposed traffic regulation orders will be introduced at the same time as the charge points are installed.

“These traffic orders will be restricted to electric vehicle charging only, while reflecting any current regulations such as controlled parking zones.”

The LEVI funding has been provided to local authorities to create a step change increase in the number of public on-street electric vehicle charge points ahead of demand in residential areas, added the report.

“This would offer support and reassurance to residents without off-street parking. The LEVI funding is to subsidise installing the charge points.

“The operator will provide private investment for the installation process, as well as ongoing operation and maintenance of the charge points.

“That would be delivered through a 15-year concession contract, in line with industry standards to offer sufficient time for an operator to make a return on its investment.”

The committee noted the report and approved the traffic orders approach to protect the parking bays.