Agenda item

(a)  Approved the restart of the e-scooter scheme in Slough, extended to include e-bikes, for a period of up to 4 years, to cover the national trial period up to May 2024 and any agreed trial extension by the Department for Transport (DfT) and subsequently the remainder of the 4-year term subject to the full legislation of e-scooters.

(b)  Approved the commissioning of a provider for the e-scooter/e-bikes trial.

(c)  Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place and Community, in consultation with the Lead Member for Transport and the Local Environment, to approve the award of contract and final scheme operations.

(d)  Noted that a follow-up report will be brought back to Cabinet after the national trial ends, to provide updates on the remaining trial period and any legislative and operational changes required by the DfT.

The Lead Member for Transport & The Local Environment introduced a report that proposed to restart the e-scooter trial, subject to a tendering exercise, and award of a new contract to the successful bidder.  The new contract would include the provision of both e-scooters and e-bikes for public hire.

The e-scooter trial in Slough had been suspended last year, however, it had been popular and well used scheme.  The proposal was to re-start the scheme for a period of up to 4 years to cover the national trial period to May 2024.  A follow up report would come back to Cabinet after national trial had ended to provide updates on the remaining trial period and any legislative and operational changes required by DfT.

The Cabinet emphasised that safety and responsible usage were key issues to be addressed in the new contract arrangements.   The recommendations were agreed.

Resolved – 

(a)  Approved the restart of the e-scooter scheme in Slough, extended to include e-bikes, for a period of up to 4 years, to cover the national trial period up to May 2024 and any agreed trial extension by the Department for Transport (DfT) and subsequently the remainder of the 4-year term subject to the full legislation of e-scooters.

(b)  Approved the commissioning of a provider for the e-scooter/e-bikes trial.

(c)  Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place and Community, in consultation with the Lead Member for Transport and the Local Environment, to approve the award of contract and final scheme operations.

(d)  Noted that a follow-up report will be brought back to Cabinet after the national trial ends, to provide updates on the remaining trial period and any legislative and operational changes required by the DfT.