Rossendale Borough Council has made significant progress in its commitment to environmental sustainability, implementing a range of projects to cut carbon emissions and encourage greener living across the borough.
The initiatives include decarbonising council buildings, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, and fostering community involvement in climate action.
Electric vehicle infrastructure and building upgrades
A key development is the completion of an Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure project, which saw the installation of 52 new EV charging points across several car parks in the Rossendale towns of Haslingden, Waterfoot, Rawtenstall, and Bacup.
The project, supported by the UK Department for Transport and infrastructure provider Connected Kerb, became fully operational on 15th November 2024, providing residents, EV drivers, and visitors with accessible charging facilities.
The local authority is also committed to reducing its carbon footprint through building improvements.
This includes fitting energy-efficient LED lights at Henrietta Street and Futures Park in Rossendale, and, in 2023, replacing outdated heating systems at Haslingden Sports Centre, Maiden Recreation Centre, and the Henrietta Street Depot Office, all within the borough.
Community energy programmes and forest initiative
The council supports the Rossendale Valley Energy LEAD programme, a local scheme offering residents free energy and retrofit advice. Rossendale Valley Energy also partners on the Net Zero Terrace Streets project, a pilot initiative funded by Innovate UK.
The project seeks a scalable solution for decarbonising terraced housing, making homes warmer, healthier and more affordable.
Successful implementation could extend across the Rossendale Valley, overcoming urban space constraints that limit the reach of conventional low-carbon solutions.
The Rossendale Forest initiative, launched in 2022, had planted 16,500 trees by November 2024, exceeding its target of 16,000.
The programme, integral to the council’s climate change strategy, benefits from widespread community involvement, with hundreds of volunteers taking part in planting events.
These actions highlight Rossendale Borough Council’s commitment to addressing climate change and improving the local environment for residents.
