ELECTRIC scooters will soon be available to rent on the streets of Headington.

The e-scooters are part of a trial which could expand to cover the whole of Oxford, but for now will begin in Headington.

Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, gave her backing to the scheme at a meeting on Thursday.

They are predicted to begin operating in Headington from February, according to a statement from the council.

But before they do, there were serious questions about how the vehicles will operate, who can use them, and where they will be able to go.

Roz Smith, the local councillor for Headington said the area had 'some of the busiest roads' in the city and was concerned with details about the scooter scheme.

Robert Freshwater, a council staff member, said the scooters would be powered by batteries and charged at docking stations in streets around Headington.

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Each scooter would also be equipped with a bell and lights, and drivers would have to use their own helmets.

They would only be accessibly to people with a driving license, and would be paid for by scanning a QR code.

The scooters will be allowed to ride on roads, in bus lanes, along cycle paths, and on shared use paths with pedestrians and cyclists.

The speed of the e-scooters is also likely to be limited, and they will be 'geofenced' so they would only be able to work within the limits of Oxford.

Mr Freshwater said the geofencing would allow the council and the company providing the scooters, Voi, to make sure none were dumped in the river or parked badly on streets.

He added: "Over the course of the 12 months we will he looking to expand to other areas of the city, and potentially including Kennington."

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