A takeaway delivery rider admits some workers “drive like lunatics” amid claims they are turning a Kent high street into the “wild west”.

Toby Allen, who couriers for Deliveroo, made the concession as Canterbury City Council bosses launched a consultation into a potential crackdown on rogue couriers.

He says he understands why the authority wants to tackle the issue of riders breaking rules in the city centre and potentially endangering pedestrians.

Bicycles are currently only permitted in the pedestrianised high street after 4pm, while mopeds and motorcycles are banned at all times without a permit.

But residents have reported a number of near-misses with the powered vehicles, sparking calls for tougher enforcement.

“It doesn’t surprise me - some of us drive like lunatics,” said Mr Allen.

“I do ride my bike down the high street but I’m careful when I’m doing it - some guys are just thinking about the next drop.

“I think to be honest we’ve already got a bad name. I don’t think we’re very popular with residents until they want their food delivered, and then they’re fans.”

Mr Allen believes the existing rules are “fair enough” but admits they are often flouted by some of his fellow riders, who are mostly self-employed.

“I agree it’s not the nicest thing to see - it’s a bit of an eyesore constantly these guys going up and down with things on their back,” he said.

“But it’s the way things are going; there’s obviously demand for it and people obviously want it.

“It’s more a case of [riders] need to have a bit of sense and be careful.”

Councillors on the authority insist they are not “demonising” riders, but say action is needed as an accident is “inevitable”.

Deputy leader Michael Dixey (Lib Dem), who represents the city centre’s Westgate Ward, has long-held concerns about delivery bicycles and mopeds riding dangerously along pedestrianised streets.

Just last month he opposed a bid for a late-night licence from a new takeaway in Palace Street, citing fears of “noise and disturbance in the city centre and danger to pedestrians” from delivery riders.

With CCC now opening the consultation on the issue, Cllr Dixey concedes: “We can't stop it, it’s a matter of regulating it.

“It’s becoming a little bit like the wild west out there, particularly in the evenings, with the scooters and the other deliveries racing about, because they’re under big-time pressure.”

The veteran city councillor suggests dedicated pick-up points could be introduced as part of proposals to curb the disruption of delivery vehicles.

He expressed particular concerns about motorised bicycles that “can go nearly 30 miles an hour and they nearly do that down the high street”.

He continued: “A lot of people complain, particularly people who are elderly and people who have mobility issues because they don’t feel safe, to put it bluntly.

“These [riders], some of them are university students trying to cover their fees and living costs; I don’t hold anything against them.

“I think it’s inevitable there’ll be an accident before too long.”

The council is in the “evidence-gathering” phase of consulting on an updated Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the city centre.

Residents’ views on the issue of delivery riders will inform proposals for more concrete measures that can be taken.

Cllr Connie Nolan (Lab) - the cabinet member for enforcement - said “I wouldn’t call them nuisance delivery drivers.

“What we need is to in some way make sure they are behaving in a way that’s acceptable.

“It’s not just about the delivery drivers, it's about making sure if there is a risk to public safety something actually happens.

“I remember one time at Côte – they’ve got that outside seating – it was a lovely balmy evening and suddenly there was a whole posse of delivery drivers racing each other up the street.

“It’s just sort of correcting an imbalance at the moment, but we’re certainly not demonising them in any way.”

Cllr Nolan says the council could try to compel riders to have a full driving licence or take a theory test “so they’re familiar with the rules of the road”.

Moped riders can legally drive a 50cc scooter with only a provisional drivers’ licence and on completion of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) - a one-day course.

Mr Allen says should there be any further restrictions on bicycles fast food deliveries will be anything but.

“It might make us a bit slower because obviously when it's busy in town and I’ve got to pick up from a restaurant it slows you right down when you can’t ride your bike,” he said.

“ What could be good would be some kind of cycle lane or something, but it ruins the high street.”

KentOnline asked the big three delivery giants - Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat - for a for a response to the crackdown consultation, but only Deliveroo and Just Eat responded.

A Just Eat spokesperson said: "At Just Eat we expect all couriers delivering on our behalf to act respectfully and responsibly at all times.

“We provide guidance to our independent restaurant partners and self employed contractors to ensure they follow the rules of the road.

“If we are ever made aware that a courier delivering on our behalf has acted in a way that does not uphold the standards we hope to deliver, we will of course take action as appropriate."

A Deliveroo spokesperson said: “Deliveroo regularly engages with riders and councils across the country to help keep riders and other road users safe.

“We have held discussions with Canterbury City Council and Canterbury Business Improvement District (BID) on this issue, and will continue to work closely with them.”

Tomorrow (August 9) the council will hold an in-person consultation event at Tower House in Westgate Gardens from 5pm to 7pm, where residents can ask questions and offer opinions.

People can also take part in the consultation online.

Earlier this year concerns were raised about rogue delivery drivers in Dartford leaving shoppers fearing for their safety.

Video footage shows them ignoring no-entry signs and driving along the town’s pedestrian-only high street and through alleyways.