The sum from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will enable the local authority to deliver more than 800 charging points to members of the community without access to off-street parking.

According to the council, private driveways are not accessible to many residential areas in the borough, creating challenges for those wishing to charge their EVs at home.

The construction works are scheduled to start in January 2026, with external operator Connected Kerb responsible for the installation and management of the charging points.

Additional private investment from Connected Kerb will facilitate the installation of a further 826 charging points in Blackburn, Darwen and nearby rural areas without off-street parking, the council has confirmed.

In a statement last week, the council explained that the move also supports its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Executive Member for Growth and Development at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: ‘This is a huge opportunity for members of the community who may have considered owning an electric vehicle but haven’t been able to, because the necessary charging infrastructure isn’t available to them.

‘By securing LEVI funding, we can help residents and visitors in areas who only have the option to park on the street, without affecting existing parking spaces.

‘With the government now making it law for all new vehicles to be zero emission by 2035, these charging points will allow our residents to get on the front foot.’

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