Greater Manchester Police have said they will confiscate any e-scooters being used illegally on roads, pavements and public pathways in the region.
The fresh warning comes in anticipation of many residents receiving e-scooters as gifts over the Christmas holidays.
Whilst e-scooter trials are currently underway in parts of the UK – including one in a designated Salford area – using these vehicles in public actually remains illegal.
GMP said they have seized 21 e-scooters since the start of October and will continue to ‘crackdown’ on riders – prosecuting anyone found operating vehicles without insurance.
Inspector Steve Bryant, from GMP’s Safer Transport Team, said: “We want to ensure that people have the right information when it comes to e-scooters, particularly as many may buy or receive them for Christmas.
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“We are aware that not all sellers make the regulations clear at the point of sale; therefore we will continue to raise awareness so that hard working people do not waste their money on something they cannot currently use.
“To ensure everyone is kept safe on our roads, our officers will be seizing e-scooters used illegally.”
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Whilst e-scooters are occasionally spotted on roads around Manchester, current legislation states they should only be used on private land with permission.
In October, a group of MPs campaigned for the vehicles to be made legal in public spaces – but with measures to prevent their use on pavements.
The Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman, claimed that the UK is “the last major European economy where e-scooters are still banned to use anywhere except on private land and their use on UK roads is currently illegal.”
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Merriman added: “E-scooters have the potential to become an exciting and ingenious way to navigate our streets and get from place to place. If this gets people out of the car, reducing congestion and exercising in the open air, then even better.
“We support the Government’s desire to include e-scooters in the UK’s transport mix and the current rental trials will provide a crucial evidence base for future legislation.”
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
