Next week, the Salford City Mayor is set to rubber stamp a Department for Transport rental e-scooter trial for twelve months, in partnership with Lime Scooters and the University of Salford.
"There is clearly a demand for alternative modes of transport which can provide additional first and last mile connectivity, compliant with social distancing rules" states the accompanying Salford Council report "Guidance has been introduced to enable local authorities to use e-scooters as a potential additional way to mitigate the reduction in public transport capacity due to social distancing..."
However the scheme appears only to be aimed at students, with the report adding that the trial zone "will aim to improve accessibility between The University of Salford, Central Salford and MediaCityUK areas".
Indeed, the trial is split into three phases – Phase 1 will just cover the Frederick Road and Peel Park campuses of the University. Phase 2, the report states, "will connect Peel Park and MediaCityUK campuses together via a defined corridor along the A6/Cross Lane and Broadway using existing highway and cycle infrastructure". And Phase 3 "would expand the operational areas eastwards to cover Ordsall and City Centre Salford to the Manchester city boundary".
Only people over 18 with a provisional or full driving license will be able to use the three hundred e-scooters available, and only e-scooters hired through Lime Scooters will be permitted to be used in the trial areas..."Private scooters remain illegal to use in public" states the report.
While there is no cost to Salford Council from the trial, the report doesn't say how much the e-scooters will cost to hire, although there will be some "discounted and free rides to users" it adds.
Nor does the report state if or when Salford residents who aren't students may be able to use the e-scooters, even though the report concludes that the scheme "is in line with the Council's climate change aspirations"...
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