A TRIAL of controversial electric scooters in Minehead has been extended by Somerset Council for another two years.

The Zipp Mobility e-scooters had already been given an 18-month contract extension by the former Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) which should have ended in May.

But the new unitary authority has now agreed they can continue to be used until May, 2026.

SWT previously ran a month-long consultation on the e-scooters, which are limited to a top speed 12 mph, to gauge public opinion and found just 55 per cent of respondents were happy with them.

Misuse of the scooters since they were introduced three years ago, frequently blamed on visitors staying in Minehead, has caused considerable public concern during the period.

News of the trial extension was broken by Somerset Cllr Andy Hadley to Minehead town councillors at their monthly meeting.

Minehead has about 40 of the e-scooters with nearly 30 parking bays at various locations across the town.

Bay numbers were increased after the start of the trial as local businesses requested parking bays close to their places of work for staff and visitors to commute.

The Zipp e-scooters operate from 6.30 am until 10.30 pm, seven days a week, and can only be used by people aged 16 years and older who hold a provisional or full driving licence.

It costs £1 to unlock the e-scooter and 10p per minute thereafter, which is paid through the Zipp Mobility App, and they are ‘geofenced’ so only work within approved areas.