Agenda item

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the Solent Transport rental e-scooter trial proposal to government, and to seek approval to continue the development of the Portsmouth part of this trial.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member

1.    Approves the development of a rental e-scooter trial in Portsmouth;

2.    Notes the contents of this paper, and that a further report will be brought back in advance of the launch of a Portsmouth rental e-scooter trial for approval.

1.1            Approved the development of a rental e-scooter trial in Portsmouth;

1.2            Noted the contents of this paper, and that a further report will be brought back in advance of the launch of a Portsmouth rental e-scooter trial for approval.

Felicity Tidbury, Transport Planning Manager, introduced the report. In response to questions officers clarified:

Time spent on the project has been recorded but spend to date is only officer time so there is no additional spending. Any associated costs will be met by Solent Transport, through the Solent Future Transport Zone bid, not Portsmouth City Council.

It has not been decided yet whether to use geo-fencing or not. Neither has it been decided as to whether usage will be restricted on particular routes. Discussions on restrictions will take place with the chosen operator and other key stakeholders.

Paragraph 9.4 refers to communications and marketing information on where e-scooters can be used and where the council can apply restrictions on certain routes.

Allowing e-scooters access to Guildhall Square has yet to be decided but it is an option.

Restrictions and regulations are currently planned to be common across all four sub-projects in the trial (Winchester, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth). Officers are considering the TROs that will be required and are looking to allow e-scooters where bicycles can go, for example, bus lanes, with the opportunity to apply local exclusions and restrictions.

All three members expressed concerns about safety as they had seen e- scooters being used dangerously on roads. Although the principle of the scheme is sound it needs to be fit for purpose and issues need to be resolved now as residents are concerned with illegal use so will think e-scooters are a menace. These are important issues that need to be considered well in advance so that the scheme does not fail.

Councillor Heaney mentioned an e-scooter scheme in Coventry that was suspended due to misuse and asked if the council had enough control. Some people might paint their e-scooters the "approved" colour so they are mistaken for council ones. They could have numbers on them to help with identification. He urged that consultation with the public should be held.

Councillor Bosher noted that if there was geo-fencing there would be no routes on the east side of Portsmouth. He also asked how the scheme would be policed; he suggested education and not just fines. He has noticed a marked increase in e-scooters. The council's scheme requires users to hold a driving licence but the vast majority of people he sees on e-scooters are aged about 12 to 16. He noted that at this stage officers are seeking approval to proceed with the pilot so they can source an operator and then a more detailed technical report can be made in a few months' time.

Officers said there had been 16 tender returns, of which one was non-compliant. They are aware of the issues in Coventry and are engaging with the police and will continue to do so until the launch of the trial.

Councillor Stagg pointed out that users of the council's e-scooters will have to over 17, have a driving licence and register. They will be fined or banned for misuse. Other countries can manage e-scooters well. Hopefully the trial will lead to legislation that can be enforced but for the time being it is a trial. The e-scooters could have bells and lights as they are quiet and difficult to see in the dark. The Isle of Wight is the first sub-project to go ahead so Portsmouth can learn from their experiences.

Councillor Stagg welcomed Richard Lancaster, Project Manager, who is taking over the e-scooters pilot as part of the Solent Future Transport Zone.

1.1            Approved the development of a rental e-scooter trial in Portsmouth;

1.2            Noted the contents of this paper, and that a further report will be brought back in advance of the launch of a Portsmouth rental e-scooter trial for approval.