Hucknall Councillors working to crack down on illegal e-scooter use in the town

Hucknall's Ashfield Independent Councillors have labelled e-scooters in Hucknall as a 'menace' and 'a danger to the public.'

The Government are currently trialling e-scooters in some major cities including Nottingham. The Councillors believe that the government trial in nearby Nottingham has 'exacerbated' the problem with many confused about the legality of using them in places like Hucknall.

The only e-scooters that can be used on public roads are those rented as part of government-backed trials. These have a top speed of 15.5mph – but the most powerful privately-owned e-scooters can reach up to 68 mph.

Outside of the trial areas, residents can only use them on private land and not on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements. This means it is illegal to use them in public places in towns like Hucknall. One Hucknall councillor has said that complaints are rising with one resident telling a councillor that his wife "had a near miss close to Hucknall Library."

Councillor Lee Waters, Ashfield Independent councillor for Hucknall South said: "The nearby Nottingham City trial scheme has exacerbated the issue. People are seeing these e-scooters being driven in Nottingham and bought one for themselves. They are as dangerous as the off-road bikes that cause a significant problem in our parks and open spaces in Hucknall.

"I don't think they appreciate that they are illegal on roads in Hucknall. They are a pedestrian's worse nightmare. I had a call from a resident who complained about e-scooters being driven in and around Hucknall Town Centre at speed. Gangs of youths are riding e-scooters on Hucknall's roads and footpaths at a rapid and dangerous pace. There has also been reports of e-scooter users on Hucknall's Titchfield Park. These have no speed restrictions like the ones used in Nottingham. I'm afraid that if we don't have an urgent crackdown on the e-scooter menaces then we may see a serious accident or worse. They are a clear and present danger to the public. I have written to the police making these points."

Fellow Ashfield Independent Councillor David Shaw from Hucknall West backed his colleague's call adding: "It's clear that some people are not clear about the legislation. The Government needs to be clearer that whilst it's OK to ride e-scooters in areas where the trial is ongoing like Nottingham – it's not outside the city's boundaries. The Conservative Government's failure to communicate the legislation has caused the problem that is becoming a nightmare for pedestrians and park users in towns like Hucknall. It's not OK to use Hucknall's streets, pavements and open spaces as a racetrack and it's illegal"

Hucknall's policing team have confirmed that they are aware of the issue and are working on it.