There are calls for docking bays to be installed for controversial electric scooters as pictures show them being left strewn across pavements.

The divisive trial in Canterbury was launched by Kent County Council in November and headed up by firm Bird last year, offering students a new way to travel between the city's universities.

The scheme previously covered the city centre, but was broadened to encompass outlying areas including Thanington, Hales Place, Wincheap and Harbledown - along with a stretch of the A28 heading in the direction of Sturry.

But Canterbury's trial - one of 31 taking place across UK towns and cities as part of a Department for Transport project - has proven contentious.

Some have praised the scheme and its green credentials, as it aims to provide an environmentally-friendly alternative to driving cars.

However, many have criticised the scheme and raised concerns over the safety of the vehicles, which can travel up to 15mph.

Bird asks riders to park the e scooters away from public pathways, using the kickstand to keep the vehicle upright.

But now, there are calls for docking stations to be introduced after reports of scooters being left abandoned across the city centre.

Resisdent Sian Pettman is concerned and council leader Ben Fitter-Harding says a solution would need to be found

Resident Sian Pettman said: "In recent weeks, I have seen far too many Bird scooters lying across pavements where they pose a serious tripping hazard, especially for the blind and partially sighted."

She saw several of the vehicles littered across Station Road West at 9.15am on Monday.

"There were nine Bird e scooters strewn or parked haphazardly over a large expanse of pavement, obliging all pedestrians to weave a route around them," she added.

"In the absence of docking bays, it is far too easy for people renting the e-scooters to park them inconsiderately or for passers-by, looking for a cheap thrill, to deliberately knock them over.

"Ironically, the stretch of pavement is located directly next to disabled parking bays, posing an immediate problem to disabled people and their helpers on exiting their car.

"With the recent expansion of the Bird trial throughout the city, the problems created by haphazard and inconsiderate e scooter parking have increased rapidly and become totally unacceptable.

"Pavements should be for pedestrians, not dumping locations for e scooters."

Westgate councillor Pip Hazelton (Lab) has been meeting Bird officials and KCC officers with Cllr Alister Brady this year to discuss issues.

"We are awaiting national action on legislation and locally we are still falling far short of the safe lanes, away from cars, to encourage significant numbers of people to switch from their cars for short journeys," she said.

"Meanwhile, the safety issues being thrown up by this trial need to be addressed now.

"Most cities that operate bike hire schemes do so with secure racks that ensure bikes are returned and stored safely - this needs to be introduced for e scooters in the same way."

City council leader Ben Fitter-Harding (Con) also supported the calls.

"I think docking stations for the e scooters would be a good idea if they continue to operate after the trial ends," he said.

"Generally speaking the geofencing works well at getting riders to return their e scooters to the Bird ‘nests’ marked onto the streets, but when they’re discarded elsewhere it can be a real hazard, particularly to those who are visually impaired.

"I hope we can discuss this with Bird in the future."

In May, Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, warned inconsiderate e scooter riders were becoming a "menace" and that "too many people are using them in places they shouldn't".

He called for the trials to be halted and reviewed before they are expanded further, to ensure the government does not "lose control of the issue".

But Bird stresses there are key differences between privately-owned e scooters – which remain illegal to use in public spaces, and for riders under 18 – and those used in the government trials.

Other critics of the Canterbury scheme include Labour leader Cllr Dave Wilson, who feels dedicated bike and scooter paths must be created to "safely accommodate things travelling at up to 15mph".

Bird was contacted for comment.

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