E-scooters coming to Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Corby very soon

E-scooters are set to be launched in Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Corby from as early as next week.

Northampton was the first county town to get e-scooters last September, with Kettering getting its own fleet in December.

The Northants Telegraph understands that e-scooters are now being rolled out elsewhere in the county, with Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Corby gearing up for their arrival.

Documents seen by this newspaper say the e-scooter trials will be going live in these four towns from next Thursday (February 25).

Northamptonshire has been taking part in the e-scooter trial as part of a wider initiative from the Department for Transport (DfT) which has been accelerated due to Covid-19.

It was one of the first areas in the country to successfully bid to host a trial.

The idea of the trial is to provide a clean and green alternative to public transport and car sharing for those travelling to work and undertaking essential journeys.

Voi is behind the red e-scooters already proving popular in Kettering and Northampton and has delivered similar schemes across Europe.

It is understood that the trials in Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Corby will launch with a fleet of 50 e-scooters in each area.

The initial operating zones will be centred on the town centre and major employment.

As with Northampton and Kettering, the operating area and fleet size will increase gradually working with Northants County Council and Northamptonshire Police.

And it is hoped that e-bikes will be introduced in all the towns at a later date, in a similar way to Kettering.

The Northants Telegraph asked Voi and Northants County Council for confirmation on the e-scooter trial being rolled out to Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Corby but both declined to comment.

However, at a meeting of the shadow overview and scrutiny committee for the new North Northamptonshire Council which launches on April 1, Cllr Lora Lawman said e-scooters are being rolled out in towns including Wellingborough, Rushden and Higham Ferrers on February 25.

For more information about Voi and the trial, click here.

*** EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this story ran last week, Voi has responded and said the Corby launch is planned for this week and the others will happen during the first week of March ***

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