Thirty-seven EV points proposed for bus depot in Monkstown
A planning application has been received by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for 37 proposed electrical vehicle (EV) charging units and associated infrastructure at Translink Newtownabbey bus depot at Monkstown Industrial Estate.
The application has been made by an agent to include the erection of a transformer kiosk, switch room and transformer room buildings and site infrastructure including parking bollards, bus wheel stops, barriers, CCTV camera mounted to an existed lighting column; four 12-metre high lighting columns; alterations to the existing bus parking area; reduction and relocation of existing hydrogen bus heater battery plugs; removal of existing storage building to facilitate modification of a pedestrian walkway; provision of fenced service yard and bus turning area.
A spokesperson for Translink said: “As part of Translink’s Net Zero fleet commitment, plans are underway to begin the phased introduction of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) at Newtownabbey Bus Depot to replace existing diesel fleet.
“This planning application represents the first stage of the transition and includes installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, together with associated support equipment and site modifications. BEV delivery to Newtownabbey Bus Depot will then be phased over coming years.”
A planning supporting statement submitted with the application said: “Within Newtownabbey, it was identified that EV charging units will need to be provided at its existing depot at Monkstown Industrial Estate to facilitate the transition to zero emissions EVs.”
It explained battery charging requires “adequate EV charging units and locations” spread across the depots where the vehicles are parked.
“The proposed development relates to provision of plant and infrastructure to facilitate the change of Translink fleet from diesel buses to EVs. There will be no change in traffic generation as a result of the proposed works,” it continued.
It noted the existing level of car and cycle parking on site is to be retained, as no changes in staff numbers are proposed. No alterations to site access are planned.
The statement went on to say parking bollards are proposed adjacent to each EV charging unit. In addition, several parking bollards are proposed to delineate between bus parking spaces and pedestrian walkway areas. A total of 76 parking bollards are proposed.
“The proposed development has been designed to ensure that there is no significant effect upon amenities. No adjacent land uses are affected, and the amenity of nearby residents is also protected.
This has been addressed through the layout design, and appropriate mitigation measures to ensure no noise impacts will occur,” it also said.
In 2021 Translink launched a Climate Positive Strategy that sets out the company’s plans to deliver a “cleaner transport future”.
“We will do this by decarbonising public transport and working to achieve net zero emissions across our buses, trains and buildings by 2040 and to go beyond and be net zero by 2050,” the company’s website says.
Translink also stated online: “We have introduced 80 Battery Electric and 23 hydrogen zero emissions vehicles into our fleet. We currently operate the fourth largest fleet of zero emissions vehicles in the UK and Ireland.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter