Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council to investigate safe space idea for e-scooters amid growing safety concerns
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has been asked to investigate the possibility of providing a supervised area where e-scramblers and e-scooters could be safely used, in order to keep them away from private land where there is no supervision.
Councillor Jude Mallon (SF) raised the issue at a recent committee meeting, asking if any council land could potentially be identified for such a purpose.
“Recent engagement with the PSNI Neighbourhood Team highlighted ongoing challenges with the unsafe and illegal use of these vehicles in the Craigavon area,” he said.
“They advised that a designated safe space could help reduce the misuse of e‑scramblers and e‑scooters across residential areas, and that there are trained community instructors who could support such a facility.
“Action sought is that officers begin an initial assessment of whether any suitable council‑owned land exists, and liaise directly with community police to ensure the assessment reflects policing needs, safety considerations and community impacts.”
Committee vice-chair, Councillor Liam Mackle (SF) remarked: “I think it’s not only Craigavon that’s tortured by scramblers and e‑scooters; Lurgan certainly has its fair share of those as well. So, if members are content, then officers can go away and come back with some ideas.”
Councillor Peter Haire (DUP) referred to a piece of land which he said is a popular spot with e-scramblers, however he was concerned about safety and liability issues.
“Can we check out the land on the Tandragee Road in Lurgan, beside St. Paul’s? Do we own that land, the field just beside it?” he said.
“Because they’re in there scrambling all the time. I’m looking at a health and safety issue here. They’re going in there, and somebody’s going to get hurt. Do we own that [land] or not?”
Director of Environmental Services & Sustainability, Jonathan Hayes replied: “I’m content to take the lead and work with colleagues in other departments to look at options [on the provision of a supervised area], and also confirm the ownership of the area of land in question raised by Cllr Haire, and report back to committee in due course.”