Council e-scooter plan for towns

Council e-scooters could be coming to two towns as part of the authority's plans to increase travel options for residents.

West Berkshire Council said on-street e-scooter hire schemes in Newbury and Thatcham, Berkshire, would give residents a "cost-effective alternative to car ownership", along with shared cars.

The proposal is part of the council's draft local transport strategy, which aims for 50% of trips within Newbury and Thatcham to be made by walking and cycling.

The plans also include enhancing bus services, increasing car clubs and walking and cycling routes.

According to the plans, electric vehicle (EV) uptake in the district is above the national average and there are several publicly available EV chargers across Newbury and Thatcham.

"There are, however, locations with limited offroad parking where on-street provision is likely to be needed to support increased EV uptake," it concedes.

"This could be aligned with the provision of shared electric vehicles."

The council also said it wanted to create a high-quality "active travel" link between Sandleford Park, Newbury town centre, Thatcham town centre, north east Thatcham and railway stations.

The plans also include a trial minibus service from northeast Thatcham to the railway station, expanding the car club network, zero-emissions buses to Reading, and a reduction in HGV and freight traffic.

The e-scooter plan is subject to legislation and an operator, the council said.

The consultation into the transport paper closed in May.

It will go before the council on 17 July, with the results due on 22 July.

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