PUBLIC charging points for electric cars will not be coming to Dorking or Leatherhead in the foreseeable future.
After informally testing public opinion on the subject through social network Twitter, Mole Valley District Council has decided not to apply for government funding towards installing the facilities in public car parks until the popularity of two points planned for Ashtead railway station has been monitored.
Cabinet member James Friend said the council had been looking into the matter following the redrafting of its parking strategy.
He told the Advertiser: "We had a cross-party group agree what the priorities are and we have established that there will be electrical charging points installed in Ashtead by Network Rail.
"What we were looking for was, just very informally, to see if there is any demand for similar installations elsewhere in the district.
"It was not a formal consultation, it was about looking to see whether there is any interest at all and whether it is then worth going out and doing a market assessment."
Mr Friend said one issue which had held the installation of such points back was the loss of ordinary parking spaces it would cause.
But their possible introduction was warmly welcomed by Dorking resident Jacqui Hamlin, a volunteer and founder member of local produce provider Food Float.
She said: "Mole Valley is lagging behind because there currently isn't a single one in the entire borough, which I think is quite disappointing.
"I think that puts people off buying electric cars and they should be encouraged."
The 57-year-old, of Hart Road, said she believed more people would invest in environmentally friendly transport if they could recharge electric vehicles away from their homes.
She said: "Food Float's original vision was to have a milk float full of local produce that we could take around to places like Betchworth and Westcott.
"We looked into it, but the charging issue and the fact that we couldn't park it on the pavement in Dorking High Street meant we had to opt for a little van."
The nearest public access charging points for Mole Valley residents are currently at Epsom, Wisley, Burgh Heath and Gatwick.
Mrs Hamlin believed the car park behind Dorking Halls would be an ideal choice. She said: "They are needed in car parks, but the St Martin's Walk car park is likely to be knocked about if Sainsbury's puts a huge superstore there, so the next best one would be at Dorking Halls. The doctor's surgery, the theatre, the council offices and the sports centre are there, so while people are using any of those facilities would be a good time for fast-response, one-hour charging to be used."
