By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
E-scooter users failing to follow the Highway Code are “getting like a plague” in Southampton, a councillor has claimed.
Article continues after this message...
Southampton’s rental operator has banned 59 users for repeated e-scooter misuse since they were rolled out in 2021.
The city council currently has permission through a Department for Transport trial for an e-scooter hire scheme, which is delivered by firm Voi.
Private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads and pavements, although last month then transport secretary Louise Haigh indicated the government intended to legalise and regulate their use.
This plan was welcomed by Southampton City Council’s lead councillor for transport, who said it would help to address concerns over e-scooter use.
Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Baillie pressed the Labour administration that runs the city council about what action is being taken to crackdown on rule breakers.
At a full council on Wednesday, November 27, Cllr Baillie tabled a question to the executive which described e-scooters as a “complete menace” on roads and pavements.
In his initial written response, Cllr Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, said the local authority was only able to influence e-scooter behaviour through the Voi rental trial.
He said the council continued to work with police to target anti-social behaviour, with more cycle lanes being built to encourage cyclists and e-scooter users to feel confident to ride on the roads rather than on the pavement.
Voi enforces a three-strike policy in the city for misuse, such as pavement riding, twin riding or intoxicated riding.
Users are given a warning on their first offence (1,193 issued since March 2021), a £25 fine for a second offence (85 issued) and a ban on the third offence (59 issued).
Cllr Baillie pressed Cllr Keogh on how the council would help the police if they ramped up enforcement.
The cabinet member said police lacked the resources, adding that instances of misuse of the Highway Code by car drivers were probably no different to that of cyclists, pedestrians and e-scooter users.
Cllr Baillie replied: “We know cars break the rules.
“We know cyclists break the rules and they break the rules in big numbers but it just seems that the number of scooters who don’t have any idea on the Highway Code seems to be a far greater percentage than cars or even cyclists.
“Apart from the regulation, which is nationally, what are you going to do locally to actually try and enforce this because it is getting like a plague.”
Cllr Keogh said enforcement was a police matter.
He added: “There is a perception issue.
“We accept sometimes drivers breaking the rules and therefore because it is not an issue for us we ignore it.”
The senior Labour councillor said e-scooters were an important mix in Southampton’s transport model.
He said proper regulation would help deal with the “small minority” that break the law.
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations and additions may have been made by our site - a partner in the BBC's Local News Partnerships scheme. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.