Local Councillor Geoff Crowson Welcomes Electric Vehicle Charging Points at Aden

Central Buchan SNP councillor Geoff Crowson has welcomed the installation of four dual electrical vehicle charging points at Aden Country Park using funding from the Scottish Government, promoting and encouraging low-carbon sustainable transport options.

It forms part of the Accessible Aden Project which has seen a raft of improvements following a review of existing infrastructure at the north-east attraction.

The new system comprises two fast 22kW chargers and two standard 7kW chargers providing a total of eight charging points.

It is estimated that the fast chargers can recharge a car fully in around three hours, with the standard chargers taking around six hours. Each charging unit has a socket on each side and can charge two vehicles at once. When two vehicles charge, units will de-rate to a supply of 11kW to each side for the 22kW chargers, and 3.5kW to each side for the 7kW chargers.

To use the Aden EV chargers, motorists can either become a member of ChargePlace Scotland or can simply call the operator or download the ChargePlace Scotland mobile phone app.

The Accessible Aden Project has not only helped to support the introduction of EV chargers in Aden, but also car park and electrical infrastructure upgrades, along with the installation of bike stands and construction of a fully accessible Changing Places toilet block in the park.

Commenting, Cllr Geoff Crowson said:

“It is good to see projects like the one at Aden. If we want people to switch to electric cars it is vital that we make charging as accessible as possible and I am excited by the contribution the charging points will make to the air quality and health of communities throughout the area.”

Aden Project Co-ordinator Neil Shirran added:

“There had been mounting pressure on Aden’s existing facilities over the last few years which was exacerbated throughout the Covid pandemic. Community consultation helped us to identify the need for electric vehicle charging points, along with improvements needed in toilet and parking facilities. The funding support from VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund and Aberdeenshire Council itself has made these park improvements possible.”

Managed by VisitScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the RTIF was created to improve the quality of the visitor experience in rural parts of Scotland which have faced pressure due to increased visitor numbers.

It aims to reduce the impact of visitor numbers on local communities and facilities and create a more collaborative and sustainable approach to infrastructure provision and long-term maintenance of local facilities for the benefit of communities.

David Jackson, VisitScotland Regional Director, said:

“The Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) can make a real difference at locations like Aden Country Park. We would hope the development of new Electric Vehicle Charge Points will encourage more people to consider using sustainable transport.

“These additional facilities continue to improve the experience for visitors and help alleviate pressure on infrastructure, to ensure this scenic area remains a popular place to visit for years to come. Tourism is a force for good and sustains communities in every corner of Scotland, creates jobs and can improve wellbeing. We all need to play our part in being responsible visitors and RTIF projects such as this will help ensure our visitor destinations remain sustainable for years to come.”

To-date, the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund has awarded £15 million of grant funding to 66 projects across rural Scotland since the start of the Fund in 2018.

For more information on RTIF, please visit https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/rural-tourism-infrastructure-fund.