Beryl Bikes set to be rolled out in Totton

RENTAL bikes could soon be offered in Totton under plans drawn up by Hampshire transport leaders.

A report published ahead of next Monday’s (6th March) meeting of the Solent Transport Joint Committee recommends funding be set aside for the project with Totton and Gosport identified as priority areas, writes Josh Wright of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The scheme was launched in October covering Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight with Beryl contracted under an agreement made by Portsmouth City Council on behalf of the Solent future transport zone (FTZ).

Both pedal bikes and e-bikes are offered to hire.

"A key aim for the... project is to expand after the initial launch into other areas of South Hampshire," the report recommending the expansion said, adding that discussions have been held with Hampshire County Council around the feasibility of rolling it out further.

"The two shortlisted areas for implementation via Solent FTZ are Totton and Gosport as these locations are natural progressions from the existing schemes in Portsmouth and Southampton," it added. "Subject to successful roll-out of these pilot areas, additional locations within Hampshire will be investigated and funding sources external to the FTZ programme explored."

The initial launch of the Beryl Bikes scheme was approved in June last year with £2.1m agreed. A further £341,000 has been allocated to fund the roll-out into the two towns.

A wider launch of the scheme is scheduled to take place in May to mark its expansion beyond the three initial areas.

Beryl Bikes were introduced in Christchurch in 2020.