Extension of city's e-scooter trial wins backing

Voi said the scheme was helping cut carbon emissions in the traffic-congested city

An e-scooter trial in Cambridge could be extended for a further two years, but concerns have been raised about issues including parking.

Voi e-scooters that are part of the trial were introduced in 2020 and remain the only ones that can be used legally in the city.

The contract with Voi is due to run out on 31 May next year but there is a proposal to extend it after the Department for Transport announced existing trials could continue until May 2028.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority's transport committee agreed on Monday to recommend that the trial be extended. A final decision will be made by the authority's board at a later date.

A report for the committee said the trial in Cambridge was on track to see 1.5 million rides this year, with more people choosing to use the 870 e-scooters and 419 e-bikes available under the scheme.

However, it also highlighted "challenges", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It said: "In Cambridge, the parking hub model experiences high demand, with spaces under pressure at peak times and average occupancy rising.

"Riders occasionally encounter constraints as maximum capacity is reached and must seek alternative parking locations.

"A notable example is Addenbrooke's [Hospital], where growing usage has increased pressure."

The report also mentioned issues at Trumpington Park and Ride and Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where it said "utilising areas of private land for parking hubs" could help.

While some members agreed there were issues around parking and blocking pavements which needed to be addressed, the committee agreed to recommend the trial's extension.