Basildon councillors have voted against extending the TIER e-scooter trial, citing safety concerns and community feedback as key reasons for their decision.
Basildon: The councillors in Basildon have made a big decision. They’ve decided to put an end to the TIER e-scooter trial that’s been running since 2020. This happened during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Many locals and councillors have been pretty vocal about their concerns. They feel the e-scooters have caused more trouble than they’re worth. Aidan McGurran, a Labour councillor, didn’t hold back. He said it’s time to tell Essex County Council where to put their e-scooters.
He pointed out that by the end of May, the e-scooters will be gone from the pavements. This is a relief for many, especially older residents who have felt unsafe. McGurran emphasized that it’s a miracle there hasn’t been a serious accident yet.
At the meeting, most councillors were on board with the decision. While some, like Conservative councillor Andrew Baggott, argued that the trial had its benefits, the majority felt it was time to end it.
Gavin Callaghan, the Labour leader of Basildon Council, expressed regret that the trial had caused so many issues. He acknowledged that many residents used the e-scooters responsibly but noted that the problems had become too significant to ignore.
He mentioned that the e-scooter situation has been a hot topic among residents, right up there with issues like rubbish collection. People are struggling to walk their kids outside safely, and there have been concerns about crime linked to the scooters.
Callaghan also criticized Essex County Council for not managing the trial properly. He reminded everyone that what was supposed to be a one-year trial has now been extended three times.
As of now, Essex County Council hasn’t commented on the situation since they haven’t received any official word from Basildon Council yet.
