Issue - meetings

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve making permanent the provisions of the current experimental traffic regulation orders allowing e-scooters as approved by the current Department for Transport trial to be treated as pedal cyclists in respect of bus lanes and other traffic restrictions within the Oxford area.

RESOLVED: To approve the report’s recommendations subject to officers keeping the following matters under review –

(i)    Hours of Operation: the proposed “stop” time of 10 PM and the limits this placed on people wishing to use e-scooters on a night out; and

(ii)   The size of the e-scooter fleet and the availability of e-scooters for persons wishing to use them.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Cllr Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment & Place, recommending approval to making permanent the provisions of the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders allowing e-scooters, as approved by the current Department for Transport trial, to be treated as pedal cyclists in respect of bus lanes and other traffic restrictions within the Oxford area

The Chair noted that a detailed written representation had been received  from Mr David Deriaz, Vice-Chairman, of Oxfordshire Transport & Access Group (OXTRAG) in response to the proposals, and that a significant number of comments had been received during the public consultation on the proposals.

The Chair then asked officers for clarification on some of the points raised in the written representations by Mr Deriaz. Having heard the officer’s responses, including answers to questions about enforcement measures using a “3-strikes” rule; the rationale for the proposed speed limit; and consultation with the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind, Cllr Gant noted that several concerns raised during the consultation process had since been addressed by officers.

Specifically, Cllr Gant referred to Paragraph 5 of the report in which it was noted that the proposals set out in the report had been discussed with the “Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group” facilitated by Oxford City Council, and he thanked the City Council for facilitating this Group and for the Group’s contribution to the scheme.

Regarding the recommendations set out in the report, the Chair stated he wished to add a recommendation to the effect that officers continue to work closely with stakeholder groups, including the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind. He also asked that officers look at the following points –

(i)    Hours of Operation: the proposed “stop” time of 10 PM and the limits this placed on people wishing to use e-scooters on a night out; and

(ii)   The size of the e-scooter fleet and the availability of e-scooters for persons wishing to use them.

The Chair noted that, as this had been a trial scheme, it was necessary to decide whether to extend the Experimental Road Traffic Order (ERTO) or make the ERTO permanent (subject to the scheme being kept under review), at the conclusion of the trial period.

In reaching his decision, the Chair stated he had noted the statistics set out in the report regarding the reduction in the number of car journeys because of the introduction of the trial e-scooter scheme, and the increased choice of mode of transport offered by the scheme, which was in line with the County Council’s transport objectives.

RESOLVED: To approve the report’s recommendations subject to officers keeping the following matters under review –

(i)    Hours of Operation: the proposed “stop” time of 10 PM and the limits this placed on people wishing to use e-scooters on a night out; and

(ii)   The size of the e-scooter fleet and the availability of e-scooters for persons wishing to use them.

Signed …………………………………………………………………………

Dated  …………………………………………………………………………