Decision details

Approval be granted to make the ‘The City of Southampton (Electric Scooter) Experimental Order 2021’ permanent.

To facilitate SCC e-scooter trial to run until the current end date in November 2022 supported by a Traffic Regulation Order that removes restrictions on e-scooters in cycle lanes in Southampton, and to provide the flexibility to extend the e-scooter trial beyond November 2022 if required.

1.  Alternative options considered were to:

·  Allow the ETRO to lapse

·  Make a new ETRO

2.  Lapse the ETRO: The ETRO would expire at the end of 12 September 2022. E-Scooters would not be permitted to use the on-carriageway cycle lanes and other types of road space that would normally be prohibited due to the classification as a motor vehicle, for the remaining period of the previously agreed trial end date. This would cause practical difficulties and confusion for users and non-users of the e-scooter trial regarding where they can or can’t be used. This option is not recommended.

3.  Make a new ETRO: It is not possible to make a replacement ETRO that replicates the provisions for the same purpose as the existing ETRO, therefore this option is not recommended. 

OSMC discussed the item on 11 August 2022 and made no recommendations.