A consultation has been launched into a year-long trial of electric scooters on the county' streets.

From next month, up to 100 scooters will be available to use in Canterbury after Kent County Council (KCC) was successful in bidding for the pilot, which was given the green light by the Department for Transport.

KCC has appointed electric scooter lending company Bird to head up the project after a competitive tender process.

Initially, the trial will run on a set route serving students from the city's universities, with scooters powering down if they cross the approved boundary.

It follows the cycle network starting at the University of Kent, along the Eliot footpath and connecting to the St Stephen's area, through Beverly Meadow and over The Causeway towards Northgate.

It then connects to Canterbury Christ Church University on North Holmes Road via Victoria Row and Artillery Street.

From February, the trial will expand to include Canterbury West railway station, with the potential to add more e-scooters near to the station itself.

If successful, the third phase will begin in May, expanding the scheme to cover the city centre, including Canterbury East railway station and Canterbury bus station.

From August the final phase could be rolled out, offering e-scooters to all residents and visitors right across Canterbury, alongside "Park and Scoot" at the city’s three park and ride sites.

KCC cabinet member for highways and transport Michael Payne said: "It is our hope that in due course everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of this sustainable travel as part of their commute, offering an alternative to car travel, with an ambition to help reduce congestion and improve air quality in Canterbury."

The scheme will help inform the government as to whether e-scooters should be allowed on the highway network and, if so, in what way.

Bird says there are a number of rules, including that all riders are required to hold a provisional or full drivers’ licence and must be aged 18 or over before they can ride.

The firm will provide safety training and host safe-riding events, where free helmets will be given away to riders.

The scooters are also GPS-enabled so the company can keep track of them and ensure they are ridden and parked correctly.

They will use the same road space as bicycles and will not be permitted to travel on the pavement.

KCC wants to hear residents’ views throughout the trial and these can be made until May 3 by clicking here .

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