E-scooter hire scheme could come to Portsmouth this summer

Members of the Solent Transport joint committee today (June 29) agreed to fast-track schemes that will promote social distancing and green travel, while postponing others that are not urgent.

The group's three-year travel zone programme, which included a range of innovative projects across the Solent area, was approved and awarded funding of £28.8m from the Department for Transport (DfT) in March this year.

However, since then the committee has had a re-think in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Speaking at a virtual committee meeting today Richard Pemberton, principal transport planner for Solent Transport, said: 'We had planned quite a large demand-responsive transit and lift share projects which were aimed at getting people onto an app and then onto a wider multi-transport platform.

'The reality is it's going to be very difficult to convince members of the public to share cars and we have the government guidelines to not use public transport. So in the first year it will just not be sensible to progress.

'Funding can be relayed to other schemes to benefit the public such as the consolidation centres and cycle share projects. We have engaged with the DfT on this, we are the first future travel zone to put forward plans in response to coronavirus.'

It is planned the e-scooter hire trials could begin as early as August and run for a year.

Plans for consolidation centres that would act as delivery hubs on the outskirts of the city, reducing the number of heavy goods vehicles in the city, will also be prioritised.

However, some had concerns about the e-scooter trials. Councillor Steve Leggett, from Southampton City Council, said: 'In this unprecedented and challenging time we have to be nimble and agile. There are two schools of thought around e-scooters.

'Currently it's illegal to ride on on public highways but people are doing it anyway. I know the government is really pushing it. I've got public opinion for it and public opinion completely against it.'

Transport boss for Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Lynne Stagg, added: 'In theory I think they are wonderful. What worries me is the enforcement or lack of enforcement of the illegal ones.'

Mr Pemberton said: 'The DfT has made it clear they will only permit trials of shared e-scooter schemes, similar to bike share schemes, operated by a provider. There will be requirements of users. They must have a driving licence, which you would hope provides some assurance of level of skills, and they will need some kind of number like a registration plate.'

One of the group's schemes - the use of drones to transport medical supplies to the Isle of Wight - was already fast-tracked and trialled amid the pandemic.

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