Shoppers and visitors in Southend High Street have voiced frustration over the growing presence of “nuisance” food delivery drivers driving dangerously through the busy pedestrian area.
Local reports highlight frequent violations of pedestrianised area rules by food delivery drivers arriving to collect takeaways. Families with young children, often present in the area, say they can be caught off guard by these vehicles entering what they assume to be a safe pedestrian zone.
The issue has seen collisions between delivery mopeds or bikes and pedestrians in some instances throughout the UK.
To see the extent of the issues that had been reported to us, we visited Queens Road, where it intersects with Southend High Street, near a McDonald’s restaurant.
Clear signage marks the start of the High Street as a pedestrian-only zone with strict vehicle restrictions. Despite this, our reporter observed multiple instances of mopeds and motorbikes disregarding signage and passing through anti-vehicle bollards.
Southend City Council has implemented a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aimed at curbing disruptive activities in the High Street area. However, mopeds, classified as motorised vehicles, fall outside the PSPO’s scope.
Councillor Martin Terry, responsible for community safety and regulatory services, highlighted the legal implications of using mopeds in pedestrian zones without proper authorization.
“The mopeds used by food delivery drivers are considered motor vehicles. Riding them through pedestrian areas of our High Street without prior authorisation is a criminal offence,” stated Councillor Terry. He emphasised that such issues fall under police jurisdiction, not the PSPO, which focuses on e-scooters and cyclists.
He added: “Our Community Safety Officers will still engage with any mopeds or vehicles they see being used illegally, check for the required permissions, and work with the police when necessary. We’ve also upgraded our High Street bollard system to enhance safety and security, and we urge food delivery companies to take greater responsibility to ensure their riders understand and follow highway laws – this behaviour is dangerous and unacceptable.”
Canterbury council issued over 40 fines last year to delivery drivers for similarly breaching pedestrianised area rules.
Deliveroo, addressing its couriers directly, underscores the importance of adhering to pavement laws: “Keep off the pavement. Pavements are for pedestrians, and riding your scooter through any pedestrianised area is dangerous and illegal.”