REDDITCH has teamed up with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to bid to become an e-scooter trial area as part of the Government’s green recovery ambitions.
And the news has been welcomed by local MP Rachel Maclean herself a Minister in the Department for Transport.
Last month, the Government announced e-scooter trials would be brought forward by one year to help encourage more people off public transport and on to greener alternatives.
The trials for e-scooter rentals have also been extended to all local areas, which will allow the government to assess the benefits of the machines as well as their impact on public space, with the potential to see rental vehicles on UK roads as early as June.
Working with Redditch Borough Council, Mrs Maclean was able to broker an alignment with the WMCA to submit an expression of interest bid to the Department for Transport to become a trial area that will include Redditch as part of their plans.
She said: “Like so many of my constituents, I am really keen to use this opportunity we’ve been given to do everything we can to see a green recovery from Covid-19 in Redditch.
“This trial will help bring more flexibility, choice, and greener travel solutions for our town, at a time when we are facing a climate emergency and urging people to leave the car at home.
“Redditch would be a fantastic location to become a test area and to implement these trials thanks to the design of our town.”
Car and cycle accessories giant Halfords, which has its headquarters in the town, is also the UK’s largest seller of e-scooters.
