Strict rules to be in place for Portsmouth e-scooter trial to avoid 'wild west' situation

During a virtual meeting today Portsmouth City Council's traffic and transport boss, Councillor Lynne Stagg, agreed to press on with developing an e-scooter hire scheme for next spring.

As part of the system docking stations for the scooters would be located around the city with use limited to those over the age of 17. Restrictions on speed and which roads can be used would also be in place.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Stagg said: 'I am pleased to give this the go ahead. It will reduce the number of cars on the road and improve congestion and air quality.'

However, concerns were raised about the use of e-scooters due to use of private scooters around the city - which are currently illegal.

Tory spokesman Cllr Simon Bosher said: 'We don't want a sort of e-scooter wild west. We are going to have to get something that is fit for purpose.

'I was almost taken out by one in Drayton going by me at a rate of knots that then almost took out a lady with a walker.'

Cllr Graham Heaney, from the Labour group, added: 'I think I am a bit more sceptical about this.

'We can set rules but if they don't abide by them there's not much we can do.'

SEE ALSO: Concerns over use of illegal private e-scooters in Portsmouth

The council is currently in talks with 15 e-scooter operators that could run the scheme.

Cllr Stagg said that all concerns would be addressed. 'I have a list of concerns,' she said.

'I have seen some horrendous incidents with e-scooters on Copnor Road, how no-one has been killed I don't know. Users will have to be 17 years old, they will have to sign a contract and they will be fined or banned if they break the rules.

'We will have a long list of requirements that we work out with the operator. For example we've got to think about lights on the scooters at night and in the dark.'

SEE ALSO: Here are the laws on using E-scooters on UK roads

Solent Transport has been working with the Department for Transport to allow for the reallocation of £900,000 from other schemes to pay for e-scooter schemes across Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Winchester and Southampton.

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