Ideas to make Northampton's e-scooter trial ‘safer’ shared between borough and county councillors

The trial of the electrical scooters started earlier this month for a year-long period, but has faced a number of teething problems early on – mostly focused on the danger they pose if being misused, and that children under the age of 18 have managed to be able to use them.

The scheme, which is run by Voi in connection with Northamptonshire County Council, has seen 300 scooters dotted around Northampton that can be paid for by the minute via a downloadable app. Users need to have a provisional driving licence.

But a number of Northampton Borough councillors have raised concerns about safety following some close calls, and have complained that they were not consulted by their colleagues across the road at County Hall.

The issue was discussed at the latest full council meeting of the borough, which was held virtually on Monday (September 14).

Labour councillor Zoe Smith called for a more joined up approach between the two authorities, saying: “The e-scooters have been praised as an environmental benefit and it would be, in theory, a fantastic idea to have these scooters available.

“But I’ve been getting emails from constituents saying that they’ve been left in bushes with the GPS disabled. It’s just really important that the communication is done really carefully between all the different people involved so that you don’t get the public having negative views on actions being taken to combat the climate emergency.”

Both the borough council’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Mike Hallam, and cabinet member for safety, Councillor Anna King, told their colleagues they had not been consulted by their counterparts at the county council – but had come up with some ideas to make the scheme safer.

Councillor Hallam said: “Between us we’re presenting a bit of a united front on whether there could be improvements made, and where changes might be. But we’re now in communication with the county council on some suggested tweaks.”

And speaking later to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Councillor King added: “We have put a list of recommendations to them [the county council], mainly around raising more awareness that they are not to be used in pedestrianised areas including parks and open spaces, and also about potentially putting some signs up for motorists telling them these scooters are about.

“So it’s just general safety stuff really. I think there’s an online training course that can help make people sure that they understand it and that you could be liable to get points if you use them inappropriately, as you would if you were driving dangerously.”

Councillor King had earlier told councillors she was not going to engage in ‘mud slinging’ by complaining about the lack of consultation, and instead said they had had ‘some good communication’ within the last week with the county.

The two parties are expected to do a ‘walkabout’ in the town soon to look at potential safety hazards and places where the scheme can be made safer.

Councillor King did add however: “I think if there had been a joint campaign at the beginning, to promote the environmental benefits and the health and safety, then I think we might have avoided some of the teething problems.”