NEW electric vehicle charging points have been installed in several towns as part of a council programme. 

Points in West Moors, Blandford Forum, Sturminster Newton, Sherborne and Wareham will all go live in the coming weeks. 

Dorset Council’s Charging Ahead initiative aims to get 80 per cent of households within a 10-minute walk of a public charge point by 2030. 

The installation of the new chargers will not impact the use of the car parks or nearby businesses.  

Once complete, the addition of these fast and rapid chargers will bring the total number of public charging points in the county to just under 300. 

Nick Ireland, Dorset Council’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “By expanding the network of electric vehicle chargers across the county, we can make it easier for residents to transition to electric vehicles.  

“This shift will help improve air quality and create a healthier environment for everyone. 

“However, it’s critical that our rural communities don’t get left behind in this transition to sustainable energy, so I’m thrilled to see charge points being installed in our villages as well as our towns.”