E-scooters could return to the streets of Rochdale despite end of controversial trial

E-scooters could yet return to the streets of Rochdale despite council bosses calling time on a controversial trial. Run by Lime - which has scooters in 125 cities across the world - the year long pilot came to an end last month, with council chiefs opting not to extend the scheme by a further six months.

It was hoped the trial would reduce the number of short car journeys, cut congestion and air pollution and provide a 'stepping stone' for would-be cyclists lacking confidence on the road. Despite Rochdale choosing not to continue with the scheme, Lime says it had been a ‘great success’, with some 12,000 trips made by 3,000 riders since April last year.

The pilot - which focused on the town centre - was not without its problems, however. There were complaints about scooters being dumped in the river and canal, as well as reports they were being ‘abandoned’ on pavements rather than parked at the dedicated docking stations.

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A leading blind charity also warned the scooters posed a ‘serious safety risk’ to vulnerable pedestrians and urged an end to the scheme. While Salford chose to extend its Lime e-scooter trial last mont h, local authority chiefs in Rochdale have taken a different view.

However, they have not ruled out another e-scooter trial taking place in the borough at some time in the future. Paul Moore, the council’s interim assistant director of economy, planning and development, says the authority ‘remains committed to exploring the options around sustainable urban transport’.

“We feel a year with Lime was sufficient to enable us to undertake a review of the data gathered, and we are working with our