People being invited to tell Sefton Council where they want to see new EV charging points

SEFTON Council is asking for the public's help to expand the Borough's Electric Vehicle Charging network. Residents and people who work in Sefton are being asked to let the Council know where they would like an electric vehicle charging point installed.

This will help the Council find the right area to locate charging points where they will be used, such as in areas where residents don't have their own driveway or access to off street car parking. This will help also develop Sefton Council's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.

People can have their say on where they want to see new charging points and the Council's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, with all suggested locations being checked for suitability.

As part of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) grant funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Sefton Council has �1.6 million to spend on electric vehicle infrastructure to support households without off street parking over the next four to 5 years.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:- "Local residents and Council employees can all help us map where to add charging points today, as well as in the future, for when further funding becomes available. It is important that people have their say and help us identify locations where they are needed. We aren't just inviting people with EVs to have their say on our charging infrastructure, we want to hear from those who are considering making the switch too.�

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration said:- "Lack of charging options in areas where people may not have their own driveways and off-street parking can be a barrier to them making the switch to an electric vehicle. That's why we are asking residents and those who work in Sefton to suggest the best places for us to install new charging points. Supporting the transition to electric vehicles, which produce less pollution, will be part of the solution in reducing overall inequalities in air pollution and health. And as well as being beneficial for health, it is better for the environment and tackling the climate emergency.�

Supporting electric vehicle infrastructure is part of Sefton Council's:- 'Low Carbon Transport Strategy,' which aims to support the transition to Net Zero by 2030.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said:- "There is a link between:- high areas of deprivation and high levels of air pollution emissions, which is 1 of the greatest risks to health. Emissions from road transport is the largest single source of emissions in most areas. This is why it is so important that we develop an approach to tackling transport emissions as part of our Net Zero work.�

As of August 2025, the UK had:- 84,218 charging points according to:- ZapMaps with over 1,800 new charging points installed in the last month. There are now over 1.5 million fully electric cars in the UK. There are now three times as many electric cars as there were in 2021. As electric vehicle use increases, Sefton Council is wanting residents to have their say on where they want charging points to help map demand.

In 2024, there was a total of:- 3,331 EVs registered in Sefton. The Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show that EV uptake in Sefton has been rapidly rising every year since 2015. between:- 2022 and 2024, electric car and van registrations in Sefton increased by a huge 116%.

You can fill out the form to register your interest and suggest an electric vehicle charging point within Sefton online until:- 28 September 2025.

New facilities open at Station in Merseyside following �10 million upgrade

NEW facilities have opened for customers at a Railway Station, on Merseyside, following a �10 million upgrade. A new Station building, containing a ticket office, waiting room and toilets, has been built at Lea Green Station, as well as a new multi-storey car park which more than doubles the park and ride capacity to 450 vehicles.

Northern, which runs the Station and delivered the project, opened the facilities on:- Monday, 18 August 2025, after receiving approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The project is part of St Helens Borough Council's �15m St Helens Southern Gateway programme and was funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's (LCRCA) Transforming Cities Fund, which was designed to improve connectivity and promote sustainable public transport.

The Station, used by more than 465,000 people a year, remained open to customers while the work was being done.

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said:- "We're pleased to announce that these fantastic new facilities have opened, allowing customers to enjoy more comfortable and convenient journeys. We know this project has taken longer than expected and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused. I'm sure customers will notice some significant improvements, as the Station has been transformed following years of hard work and millions of pounds of investment."

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "At long last the improvements at Lea Green Station are all approved which means passengers will be able to experience a high-quality environment. Good public transport is vital for connecting people with opportunity. This investment moves us closer towards building the London-style, integrated transport network that our Region deserves:- one that is reliable, accessible and fit for the future.�

Anthony Burns, leader of St Helens Borough Council, said:- "While the project has taken longer than initially anticipated, we are pleased that the state-of-the-art facilities at Lea Green Station are opening to the public following Northern's completion of required works. This milestone represents a significant leap forward in our St Helens Southern Gateway programme, enhancing local transport connections and championing sustainable travel for years to come. The impressive new Station building, alongside the expanded park and ride, stands as a testament to our commitment to delivering lasting benefits for passengers and the entire community.�

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,650 services a day to more than 500 Stations across the North of England.

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People being invited to tell Sefton Council where they want to see new EV charging points

New facilities open at Station in Merseyside following �10 million upgrade