WIDNES Vikings legend Martin Offiah made a ‘surreal’ return to the town this week to help launch the next phase of the Halton Borough Council’s electric car-charging scheme.
The retired Great Britain and England international and Widnes hall-of-fame member joined Halton Council leader Mike Wharton and head of environment Cllr Stef Nelson on Routledge Street to see residential on-street charging points in action on Wednesday.
Last year, a grant of £74,250 was awarded from the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles to install 29 charging points across five areas in the borough.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging specialist, Connected Kerb, is now working with the council to review sites where chargers are most needed.
Mr Offiah, 54, is a brand ambassador for Connected Kerb and said his passion for EVs began when he took a drive with a friend.
He said: “I’d been driving a gas-guzzling Range Rover.
"I got a lift in an i3 from (England RU World Cup winner) Andy Gomarsall at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016. It sparked my interest and I became passionate about EVs.”
Since retiring from rugby, Offiah has also found fame as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
He added: “I wouldn’t have thought when I was scoring tries for Widnes that I’d be back 30 years later talking about electric vehicles – it’s surreal.”
There are currently charging points in five locations in the town including Halton Road, Wellington Street, Albert Road North, Appleton Village and Routledge Street. The locations for phase two are still to be determined, the council said.
Cllr Nelson said: “We have installed the charge points to encourage local residents to think about switching to electric cars, and help improve air quality.
“They are in streets where there is a shortage of off-street parking, so that people without driveways have the same opportunity as those with drives to charge up a car.”
Halton residents living near the existing five charging sites are also being invited to apply to become an EV Ambassador, as part of an EV trial scheme.
Selected residents will be able to book an EV to drive for a month and charge at Connected Kerb sites for free.
A total of six drivers will be chosen for the scheme. Residents can apply at connectedkerb.com/evtrial
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