Kensington and Chelsea Council and Transport for London have confirmed that e-scooter trials are to begin in selected underground stations and shopping hubs in May.
The trails proposed to operate in hotspots such as Kensington Town Hall and South Kensington High Street will be the first of its kind in the UK capital, despite trails getting the go ahead in July last year.
Speaking on the decision, Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Planning, Place and Environment at Kensington and Chelsea Council said: “Participation in the trial will give residents, visitors and workers access to a new mode of transport in Kensington and Chelsea, in particular an alternative to crowded public transport or to the risk of a car-based recovery from the Covid pandemic.”
“In turn, this may also contribute to improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion”
Earlier this month, in response to a question as to why trials in London had not yet begun, TFL confirmed that e-scooter trials in London were undergoing final procurement processes and that these processes were ‘open’ and ‘competitive’.
And whilst other boroughs such as Ealing and Hounslow are expected to join in the first trial period alongside Kensington and Chelsea, there has been no confirmation as to whether other boroughs will be taking part just yet.
Despite this, Thalassites says that he expects the trials will be a “positive step for his borough” and in response to safety concerns council reports state: “Environmental and sustainability issues have been weighed against potential health and safety concerns for both riders and non-riders of the e-scooters and the mitigating measures that have been put in place to address those concerns.”
When asked to comment on the trial launch TFL stated: We are in the pre election period for the Mayor election so we cannot comment at this time. We plan to announce when the trials will start and where next next month.”
