Wandsworth Council has officially signed up to the Transport for London (TfL) e-scooter rental trial, joining a growing number of London boroughs offering residents access to this new form of greener transport.
From this spring, residents and visitors will be able to legally rent e-scooters from two licensed operators, Voi and Lime. The scooters can be hired through dedicated apps and must be parked either in a designated bay or, in quieter areas, in a “free-floating” manner — provided they are left responsibly.
To support the scheme, the Council has installed over 100 new parking bays across the borough. These bays are mainly located in town centres and other busy areas such as Putney High Street, Clapham Junction, and Balham. Outside these hotspots, responsible free-floating parking will still be permitted, although riders will be strongly encouraged to use the bays where available.
Importantly, parking e-scooters on busy pavements in town centres will be prohibited once all the bays are fully installed. TfL and the operators will also impose fines on riders who fail to park properly. Repeat offenders can be suspended from using the service.
Safety improvements
The rental scooters come with additional safety features compared to private e-scooters, including lower maximum speeds, automatic lights, insurance cover, and geofencing that limits where they can be ridden.
Wandsworth’s participation brings it in line with other London boroughs such as Richmond, Lambeth, Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing, and Southwark, which have already been taking part in the TfL trial. The trial itself, originally launched in 2021, has recently been extended to May 2026 to allow further evaluation of safety and effectiveness.
If it works as planned, Wandsworth’s approach — combining dedicated parking infrastructure with strict controls — could offer a practical compromise between encouraging more sustainable transport and preventing the clutter and obstruction problems seen elsewhere.
Concern over council secrecy
However, the way the scheme has been finalised raises some concerns
Rather than holding a full public debate, the Council used a procedural route (Standing Order No. 83(A)) to fast-track the decision [pdf]. Authority to sign the agreements with TfL and the operators was delegated to an officer without a final vote or open scrutiny by councillors.
This is particularly notable because e-scooter policy has attracted strong public interest and mixed views, with concerns about safety, street clutter, and accessibility raised by residents, disability groups, and businesses during earlier consultations.
The Council had originally proposed installing 141 parking bays, but by mid-2024 this was reduced to 111, and then dropped by one more — without clear public explanation for how or why the changes were made, or whether consultation feedback influenced the outcome.
Key to success: enforcement
Another area of uncertainty is enforcement. While fines and suspensions are available through the operators’ systems, it remains unclear how actively the Council itself will monitor compliance, manage parking violations outside town centres, or respond to issues as they arise.
Effective enforcement will be critical to the scheme’s success, yet there has been little public detail or debate about the Council’s capacity or plans in this area — another important discussion that residents should have had the opportunity to be part of.
While the Council points to the urgency of getting infrastructure ready for spring and summer use, many feel that major changes to the borough’s streetscapes should not happen without open public discussion and visible accountability.
Let’s see how it goes
Despite these concerns, the e-scooter trial itself offers real potential benefits
It promises to widen transport choices, reduce car reliance, and support the borough’s environmental goals. If managed well — including proper enforcement — and if lessons are learned from resident feedback, it could be a valuable addition to life in Wandsworth.
Ultimately, though, successful innovation requires more than new parking bays and rental apps. It also demands transparency, trust, and a Council willing to listen to the people it serves.
Quick facts: Wandsworth E-Scooter Rental Scheme
- Operators: Voi and Lime
- Start date: Spring/Summer 2025
- Parking rules:
- Mandatory use of bays in busy town centres
- Free-floating parking allowed in quieter areas
- Fines: Improper parking or dangerous riding can lead to fines and account suspension
- Bays installed: Over 100 across the borough
- Part of: London-wide TfL trial extended until May 2026
- Enforcement: Primarily via operators; Council’s own enforcement role unclear
