Plans for a new electric vehicle charging station on a busy stretch of road have been given the go-ahead - despite questions over whether drivers would sit waiting for their batteries to charge.
Motor Fuel Group has been given planning permission to install eight charging points behind the Esso service station on the A10 at West Winch, near King's Lynn. Plans also include a jet wash.
Motor Fuel Group's agent said: "Motor Fuel Group are looking to roll-out an extensive supply of EV charging facilities at existing and new service stations across the UK to diversify their existing offer, with the aspiration to make it as easy to charge your vehicle as re-fuelling with petrol or diesel."
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But North Runcton Parish Council said: "Whereas we recognise that EV infrastructure such as that proposed in this application will be required in future – we are doubtful that a charging area like this is an attractive solution.
"As we understand it, average charging times presently vary from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Who will want to sit here for that length of time?"
A planning report said while the chargers would initially see more vehicles turning in and out of the site, which is close to the busy Hardwick Roundabout, this would eventually be balanced out by fewer turning in and out of the filling station to buy petrol or diesel, as fossil fuel use declined.
The busy A10 itself is likely to see less traffic by the end of the decade after a new bypass is built.
Norfolk County Council has drawn up plans for the £84m route between Gravelhill Lane and the A47, which will provide access to the development of 4,000 new homes set to be built east of the A10.
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