By Chris Yandell

Southern Daily Echo – 18 September 2025

One of Hampshire's top politicians has joined the battle against plans to install e-bike stations outside homes across Totton. Tory MP Julian Lewis has accused Hampshire County Council of "imposing" the scheme on residents in a move that will harm their quality of life. Facilities for a total of 142 bikes are due to be provided at 22 locations, many of which are near flats and houses.

Sir Julian, who represents New Forest East, has been contacted by a large number of constituents, including those living in Chaffinch Close, Goodwood Gardens, and Lackford Avenue. In a hard-hitting letter to the county council, he says:

"These parking bays must be kept well away from residential areas.

It is absurd to expect people to put up with the peace and quiet of their homes being seriously compromised by the arrival and departure, very close by and at all hours of the day and night, of vehicles of this sort.

Even the most responsible users of e-bikes will inevitably create noise when lifting the bikes onto and off their stands."

Sir Julian adds:

"I recognise that the county council has chosen to impose an e-bike scheme on the residents of Totton.

Yet it has no right to undermine the quality of life of people in their own homes when it could easily use common sense and consideration to create the bays in non-residential areas.

I trust you will now bring forward proposals to do so."

Neighbours Val Alford and Alison Morgan have also written to the county council, describing plans to station e-bikes at the junction of Stonechat Drive and Chaffinch Close as "an accident waiting to happen". Their letter adds:

"The bike station will obstruct visibility for vehicles entering and exiting Chaffinch Close, compounding issues we already face."

A statement on the county council's website says the 28-day consultation period has now ended. It adds:

"All feedback received is being reviewed to inform decisions regarding the installation of the bays. This includes consideration of alternative locations where appropriate."

The scheme, part of the Hampshire Bikeshare project, will be run by e-bike operator Voi. Speaking earlier this year, Voi's UK general manager, James Bolton, said it was

"looking forward to offering the people of Totton a new, safe, green, and affordable way to travel".