A WREXHAM resident has voiced concerns about missing vital appointments over a dispute with the council over EV charging. 

Richard Birch, of Stansty, suffers with poor mobility and lives with chronic pain in both legs. 

As a result, the 46-year-old relies on a specially adapted Motability vehicle as well as other adapted items in his home. 

Mr Birch's vehicle uses electric charging, which he often does at home throughout the night. 

However, recently issues have arisen after Mr Birch was visited by the local authority over the way he charges his car. 

Mr Birch claims that the council raised concerns over safety, despite having charged his vehicle the same way for months. 

Mr Birch said: "I moved in last August as a temporary resident and was given permanent tenancy a month ago. I was given this property as no other suitable one could be found.

"I requested one with a drive in order to be able to charge my vehicle. That again could not be found. A council official suggested I looked on there website as to there charging policy. The website says - if I remember correctly that it's okay to charge across public footpaths as long as it's safe and is at the council's discretion.

"So I bought ramps for the charging cable to sit inside safely and traffic cones to indicate that the ramp is there. I've been charging fine for several months.

"However a few days ago a council worker knocked on my door worried about it being a trip hazard which it clearly isn't."

Following the visit of the council, Mr Birch states that he has been told he can't charge his vehicle overnight due to the authority being "worried about children cutting live wires", due to a recent incident. 

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Mr Birch claims he has been told he is allowed to charge during the day, while he is home, but that is likely to change moving forward.

He added: I rely on my car for appointments and shopping, I cannot afford to charge it at the public charging points as they are extremely expensive.

"If I can't charge my car then my physical health will deteriorate as I will miss vital appointments and I have no means to access other transport due to my conditions.

"My car is my access to the outside world and the council are purposefully cutting that off from me.

"I've tried to come up with a resolution, but no matter what I suggest some cable will always be exposed to being vandalised."

Lead member for Environment Cllr Terry Evans said: “Whilst we are encouraged by the uptake of EV cars in Wrexham, care must be taken when charging at home and we ask residents not to run charging cables across public rights of way as you may be under direct legal responsibility if someone trips on it and injures themselves as a result of the cable.

"Highways has the power to remove charging cables across any highway land they feel could be a trip hazard or be dangerous in any other ways.