E-Scooters in Sunderland put back to the New Year

Sunderland's new e-scooter service start date has been put back to the New Year.

The City Council and operator Zwings have agreed to postpone the start-up because of the current wintry conditions on shared footpaths and cycle tracks outside of the city centre that e-scooters use.

Operator Zwings was due to begin deploying its e-scooters this week.

The council's winter maintenance priorities are to keep traffic flowing on main roads and routes, and to treat shared footpaths and cycle tracks in busy areas, such as outside shopping centres or hospitals.

The City Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Clean Green City, Councillor Claire Rowntree said:

"As we set down every year, and with all the treatments completed during the current snowy and icy conditions, we must focus on the main and priority routes that help keep people and public transport, the emergency services, and goods moving across the city.

"We have taken this decision with Zwings in the interests of safety for all highways users as routes open to e-scooters on shared footpaths and cycleways outside of the city centre are not priority gritting routes."

Confirmation of the Zwings start-up and deployment of its blue e-scooters will be made in coming weeks.

Zwings Chief Operating Officer Stephen Bee said:

"While we look forward to starting our Sunderland service in the New Year, we recognise the disappointment that regular riders have about putting our service start date back. Rider and highways safety must and always be the most important priorities."

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