Coventry City Council is rolling out a new initiative to help residents without off-street parking make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). In a report to the Cabinet Member for City Services, on 27th October, a comprehensive Cross-Pavement Gully Channel Installation Policy is being been brought forward for approval. This will open up access to more affordable domestic energy tariffs for households that rely on on-street parking.
Bridging the Gap for On-Street Charging
Many households across Coventry do not have private driveways or garages, making it difficult to charge an EV at home without running loose cables across public footways. The new policy provides a regulated, safe solution: purpose-designed cable channels installed flush within the public pavement. These channels allow residents to pass a charging cable safely from their home to an on-street parked vehicle without creating a trip hazard for pedestrians.
The scheme is backed by nearly £193,000 in capital grant funding allocated by the West Midlands Combined Authority via the Department for Zero Emission Vehicles (ODZEV). While grant funding remains, eligible installation costs will be supported up to a maximum cap of £1,200 per channel, with any excess costs covered by the applicant.
Partnership and Delivery
Delivered in partnership with E.ON—the Council’s Strategic Energy Partner under the On-Street to On-Charge Programme—the scheme uses a streamlined division of labour:
- E.ON manages the private property side, handling domestic charging infrastructure and electrical assessments.
- Coventry’s Highways Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) handles all works within the adopted highway, including fitting the standard-selected ACO EV Power Channel.
Safety and Accessibility First
Because the channels become Council-owned highway assets, strict controls are in place. Every application undergoes a rigorous site-by-site assessment checking for potential utility conflicts, drainage issues, and pedestrian accessibility. To protect vulnerable road users, the policy prioritizes pedestrian safety, normally requiring a clear footway width of at least 2.0 meters and barring installations across tactile paving or pedestrian crossings.
Furthermore, approval of a gully channel does not reserve a parking space or grant any proprietary rights to the highway; standard parking regulations continue to apply. Residents are strictly required to remove cables immediately after charging.
Ongoing Management and Fees
To ensure the long-term safety and upkeep of the infrastructure, an annual licence fee of £72 has been established. This fee covers regular annual highway inspections, administration, routine cleansing, and minor contingency maintenance.
With policy adoption moving forward, the Council aims to complete final pre-launch preparations so that local residents can soon apply and take advantage of cleaner, more accessible neighbourhood charging options.