Uttlesford District Council has announced the installation of an electric car charger at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden.

The joint project with Siemens, Nissan and the Office of Low Emission Vehicles, together with funding awarded to Essex County Council, has led to the installation of three chargers around Essex.

One was installed at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium in July, and another in George Yard car park in Braintree last week.

The charge point in Saffron Walden, which is located in the car park at Lord Butler, will be officially unveiled on Wednesday (September 3) at 11am.

Cllr Susan Barker, Uttlesford District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Local Councils, in their role as community leaders, need to be proactive in developing the necessary infrastructure to encourage the public to use electric or electric hybrid vehicles.

“This partnership funded project has enabled Uttlesford District Council to support green transport in our district by offering this new facility at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden.”

Essex County Council was awarded £150,000 from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles to install the charging points.

As these are rapid chargers rather than trickles chargers, which owners would use at home, cars can be re-charged in 20-30 minutes, making journeys easier and it is hoped may encourage more residents to consider buying an electric car.