Chester e-scooter hire scheme suspended

The e-scooters have become a familiar site across the city

A trial e-scooter hire scheme in a city has been suspended until further notice.

Ginger has operated the service in Chester since December 2020 and provided more than 180 e-scooters for hire from 47 locations.

The company, which has not given a reason for the suspension, said it was "reviewing our operations".

Cheshire West and Chester Council said it remained committed to sustainable and affordable transport.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, Councillor Karen Shore said the authority was "saddened" to hear of the removal of the trial hire scheme and said it was in discussions with Ginger "and awaiting further information about the decision".

Ms Shore said the scheme had supported the council's climate emergency response plan and provided a "green restart" of local travel.

In a statement, Paul Hodgins, chief executive of Ginger, which runs hire schemes at six other locations across the country, said the company was "reviewing our operations and trying to find a way to come back to Chester".

He said the city had "been a great place for e-scooters, proving the future of local transport in small efficient vehicles, not big cars".

"We have greatly appreciated the support of the council, who have been fantastic partners," he added.

The BBC has contacted Ginger for further comment.