The government has said new rules to expand the legal use of e-scooters are a priority for the coming year.
It also said it would legislate to create a new body to oversee Britain’s railways and ban ferries that do not pay workers the equivalent of minimum wage from docking at UK ports.
The Government outlined the plans in the Queen’s speech on Tuesday.
E-scooters are commonly sold and seen, but are currently only legal on private property or through government rental programs.
“While driving a private e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, we are considering how best to shape future regulations and our Transportation Act will help us take the necessary steps to make e-scooters safer and innovate support,” a government spokeswoman said.
Official rental trial schemes have been set up in more than 30 areas across England. E-scooters in these trials are limited to 25.5 km/h and have automatic lights as safety features.
“Safety will always be our top priority and our trials help us better understand the benefits of properly regulated, safety-approved e-scooters and their impact on public spaces,” said a spokeswoman.
- Grant Shapps promises to crack down on illegal e-scooter sales
- When and where can I legally ride an e-scooter?
Personal e-scooters are widespread, raising concerns about illegal and unsafe use.
On April 27, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs he would “crack down” illegal e-scooter sales in England.
But he also hinted that models that met government standards could soon be legalized for use on public roads in England.
AA President Edmund King said: “With e-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility increasingly appearing on UK roads, it makes sense that safety regulations should come first.
“When rolled out alongside appropriate infrastructure, e-mobility could help bring about a positive change in greener, localized travel for both individuals and last-mile freight.”
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said it is crucial that government takes into account the needs of people who are blind or partially sighted.
Moussa Haddad, the charity’s policy manager, said: “E-scooters move quickly, operate quietly, are difficult to spot and are often ridden on sidewalks, despite the law prohibiting this.
“For this reason, they pose a particular danger to blind and visually impaired pedestrians.”
The charity said it is working with the Department for Transport, local councils and e-scooter operators to try to address these concerns.
“Making e-scooters more visually and audibly recognizable will help reduce the risks these vehicles pose, but these are just some of the solutions being explored,” Haddad added.
In December, Transport for London introduced a ban on e-scooters and e-unicycles on its network after a series of fires were caused by the devices.
The Queen’s speech also included the creation of a new public body to oversee British railways.
Great British Railways (GBR) will “simplify” the rail network and improve services for passengers, says a Downing Street briefing document on the Transport Act.
It will incorporate the state’s Network Rail and assume responsibilities from the Department of Transport.
- Better rail services promised in great upheavals
GBR will contract passenger service to private companies to operate trains.
The briefing document said it would “act as the sole national leader of the railways,” with “a clear mandate, targets and budgets set by the government, which will reserve executive powers.”
The plan is based on the recommendations of a rail industry review conducted by former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams following the chaotic launch of new schedules in May 2018.
In addition, new legislation will seek to ban ferries that do not pay their workers the equivalent of minimum wage from docking in UK ports.
The Government said tens of thousands of seafarers would benefit from measures to ensure they are paid the national minimum wage after P&O Ferries laid off nearly 800 workers.
Ministers said it was a “major step forward” on wage protection, but the TUC described the proposals as “weak and unworkable”.
Under the reforms, ferry companies that call at UK ports regularly will have to pay their workers the equivalent of the UK national minimum wage.
The government said it will implement the changes at the next parliamentary session and will consult with ports and the maritime sector over the next four weeks.
Options under consideration include surcharges, port access closures and fines.
- P&O: The second channel ferry has been cleared to resume sailing by safety inspectors
- P&O Ferries under pressure to return holiday pay
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We will stop at nothing to ensure seafarers are paid fairly in UK ports.
“The shameful actions of P&O Ferries do not represent the principles of our world-leading shipping sector and amending the Seafarers’ Wage Protection Act is a clear signal to all that we will not tolerate the economic abuse of workers.
“We will protect all seafarers who regularly enter and leave UK ports and ensure they do not become unemployed.
“Ferry operators that regularly call at UK ports face consequences if they don’t pay their workers fairly.”
But TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said stricter rules are needed.
“The government has done nothing to address the most blatant labor abuse by P&O in years,” she said.
“Only tougher labor legislation that strengthens worker protections and discourages companies from shooting on the spot will prevent another P&O scandal.”
Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Ports Association, said ports regulating ships in this way were unprecedented.
“Minimum wage enforcement is not a core competency of ports,” he said. “This should be a job for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency or HM Revenue & Customs.”
Add Comment