Northampton's blind and partially sighted speak up over danger of "terrifying" e-scooters

"The scheme has got to stop - public safety needs to be a priority at the moment"
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Northampton's blind and partially sighted are pleading with county council chiefs to pull the plug on the town's "terrifying" electric scooters.

Campaigner Sarah Gayton spent a day snapping photographs and video of discarded e-scooters left on footpaths and pedestrian areas and kids whizzing around on board.

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She says everyone is a potential hazard to someone with less than good vision or in a wheelchair and could lead to them becoming too scared to go out.

E-scooters are being left parked in the middle of pedestrianised town centre. Photos: @SeaofchangefilmE-scooters are being left parked in the middle of pedestrianised town centre. Photos: @Seaofchangefilm
E-scooters are being left parked in the middle of pedestrianised town centre. Photos: @Seaofchangefilm

Sarah, the National Federation for the Blind UK's Shared space co-ordinator, said: "The scheme has got to stop because of the risk these scooters risk to blind and partially sighted.

"If they are hit by one of these, or trip over one that's been left on a footpath they could break a leg, a hip or suffer a serious head injury.

"There's a man in Germany who is having to learn how to walk again after being hit by one of these.

"Public safety needs to be a priority at the moment."

Discarded e-scooters are being left all over townDiscarded e-scooters are being left all over town
Discarded e-scooters are being left all over town
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Trials were launched in Northampton last month after the government rushed through legislation making rented e-scooters legal on roads as they sought a clean alternative to public transport and car-sharing during the Covid-19 crisis.

But members of local sight loss charity Northamptonshire Association for the Blind have labelled them a "silent menace".

Northamptonshire County Council linked up with Swedish firm Voi to put around 300 e-scooters into the town centre.

But complaints quickly followed about youngsters riding the scooters — which have a top speed of 15mph and weigh around 120lbs — in pedestrianised areas.

Northampton's blind and partially-sighted fear discarded e-scooters are a dangerNorthampton's blind and partially-sighted fear discarded e-scooters are a danger
Northampton's blind and partially-sighted fear discarded e-scooters are a danger
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Rentals are made via a smartphone app and drivers require at least a provisional licence.

But Sarah saw many under-16s using the scooters — often in pairs — and says it is extremely difficult for blind or partially sighted people to see and hear e-scooters while those left on footpaths are a real hazard.

Nearby Coventry halted its own trial after just days following pressure from disabled groups.

Sarah added: "Young people do not have the ability to control these heavy machines.

Sarah Gayton found scooters blocking footpaths making it impossible for those in wheelchairs to get bySarah Gayton found scooters blocking footpaths making it impossible for those in wheelchairs to get by
Sarah Gayton found scooters blocking footpaths making it impossible for those in wheelchairs to get by
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"They can work in places like America where there are big streets and sidewalks with lots of room. Northampton is not built like that.

"Coventry haven't listened to us in ten years when it comes to keeping blind and partially-sighted safe. Yet on this, they moved within 24 hours. I was shell-shocked.

"It's putting the most disadvantaged people at the bottom of the pecking order because they will stop going out."

County council chiefs last week insisted they have no plans to stop the 12-month trial in Northampton and Voi say there have been more than 26,000 rides on its scooters and a minimal number of complaints since the trial began.

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They are promising extra safety measures, however, with number plates to identify riders, speed limits and Voi ambassadors making sure the scooters are used properly.

A spokesman said: "As with any new scheme there are always learnings to take from the first few days and we are actively listening to feedback.

"We are working in close collaboration with the council and the local police in doing this.

"These measures are being implemented rapidly so we can continue to ensure residents get the best and safest experience from this new form of transport."

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