Checkley Wood EV Charging Station near Leighton Buzzard back in action after cable thefts
Electric vehicle charging points at the Starbucks Checkley Wood service area are back up and running, following weeks of disruption caused by cable theft.
The chargers, located on the A5, have been out of action for around a month after criminals cut and stole vital connecting wires. Repairs were completed over the past week, restoring a key charging stop for drivers in the area.
AW Group, which manages the site, opened its AWEnergy Electric Vehicle charging station at Checkley Wood, northeast of Leighton Buzzard, in April 2024.
It marked the launch of the UK’s first electric vehicle charging station powered by onsite wind energy,
The groundbreaking new EV charging station offers 14 Kempower EV rapid charging points, supplied by Vital EV Solutions for public use, a specialist commercial vehicle, bus and HGV charging area, and a Starbucks coffee outlet.
A spokesperson for AW Group, said: “AWEnergy was dismayed by the criminal damage caused by the theft of cables from the EV charging station at Checkley Wood. This has caused enormous disruption to our customers, and we are grateful for their patience whilst we have sourced replacement cables.
"To prevent any future criminal activity, we have fitted all cables with newly-available anti-theft devices. We are delighted that we are now back to full capacity, and our pioneering wind-powered charging station is once more able to provide ultra-rapid charging to all EV drivers, commercial and domestic alike.”
The news has been welcomed by MP Alex Mayer. She said: “It's very good news that these charging points are back in service. For many drivers, reliable access to EV charging is essential, and the disruption over the past month has been incredibly frustrating.
“This kind of criminal damage not only causes inconvenience but also undermines confidence in our transition to cleaner transport. We need to send a clear message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Ms Mayer raised the issue of cable theft in Parliament highlighting the growing problem and its impact on local infrastructure. She has also raised the matter with Bedfordshire’s Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner to press for stronger enforcement and preventative action.
“The Checkley Wood chargers are an important facility for residents and motorists travelling through Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding villages, particularly as more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, she added.
“I’m encouraged to hear that enhanced security measures are now in place. Innovations like tracking technology and forensic marking can play an important role in deterring crime and supporting police investigations.
“I will continue working with the police and local partners to tackle this issue and ensure our infrastructure is properly protected.”