Great Yarmouth people on suspended Ginger e-scooter trial

Great Yarmouth's e-scooter trial came to an abrupt halt at the end of last month, when the company, Ginger, pulled out, blaming government delays in bringing in new laws to govern the devices.

Since their launch three years ago, more than a quarter of the town's 20-somethings had registered to use them.

Inactive Ginger e-scooters in Southtown the day after the service's suspension. Picture - Daniel Hickey (Image: Daniel Hickey)

But there were also complaints from locals about antisocial riding and machines being dumped around the town.

So now that they have been scrapped, are people dismayed or delighted?

We asked locals what they thought of the service's suspension, with most not too sorry to see them ride off into the sunset.

'GLAD TO SEE THE BACK OF THEM'

Gary Deloughery said he was "happy to see them gone".

Gary Deloughery said the e-scooters were death traps. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

"They were too dangerous for older people," he said. "And the way some people were riding them was ridiculous. 

"Absolute death traps.

"And on top of that, a lot of young people kept dropping them off everywhere."

'GOOD FOR KIDS... NOT SO MUCH FOR THE REST OF US'

Nicky Seaman, who works at Aldi, said the dumping of e-scooters was also an issue where she lives.

Nicky Seaman said a lot of the Ginger e-scooters were regularly dumped by Nottingham Way. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"They were usually dumped around Middlegate and by the quay," she said.

"After people dumped them everywhere, the alarms were going off constantly. And people moaned about them so much.

"At least now it’s quiet.

"It seemed more of a fun thing to do than actual transport. Kids used them more than anyone else."

'SCHEME WASN'T WORKING'

Koren Smith, who lives on the Barrack Estate, said she "never saw adults riding" the e-scooters.

Koren Smith said she only saw children riding the e-scooters. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

"I live on the Barracks and you saw a lot of adults swiping their driving licences, so children could ride them," she said.

"The scheme wasn't quite ideal, to say the least.

"People using them ignored our one-way system as well. It's a shame they weren't used for what they were intended for."

'GOOD RIDDANCE TO DANGER'

Danny Sanderson said he regularly saw people "flying about" the marketplace while riding e-scooters.

Danny Sanderson said he still sees a lot of e-scooters around, despite the suspension of the Ginger service. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"It's dangerous," he said.

"I thought we had wardens that were supposed to stop people riding like that. But I still see loads of them scooters about."

'... WELL, I MISS THEM!'

Artist Charlie Ditcham, 25, said it was a shame a mode of transport was no longer available for the town.

Charlie Ditcham said it was a shame the service had been suspended. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"Not everyone can afford their own bike," he said. "And I saw people use them to get to work. 

"The town did seem full of them. 

"But I'm not sure how well handled they were. I didn't always see the best cycle etiquette from the riders.

"I saw the scooters just laying on the floor a lot of the time."