E-scooters are set to be banned from Southampton railway station as part of a new policy by South Western Railway.

The train company will introduce a ban on e-scooters across its trains and stations, including Southampton Central, from Thursday, June 1.

The new rule, which will follow similar bans at other train operators, has been introduced as e-scooters pose a fire risk due to the potential of their lithium-ion batteries overheating.

While the chances of a fire are small, there have been recent incidents of e-scooters catching fire on other forms of public transport.

In a statement Jane Lupson, South Western Railway’s Head of Safety, said: “Reports of incidents involving e-scooters catching fire on National Rail services or infrastructure are increasing and the potential risk that they pose is not acceptable to our customers and colleagues.

“After some consideration, and in line with other partners in the rail industry, we will be banning e-scooters on our trains and at our stations from Thursday, June 1.

“We understand that these devices are popular, but the safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority, so until greater regulation and testing can be brought in to ensure the safety of those travelling on trains, e-scooters will remain banned.”

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In addition to the ban of e-scooters, South Western Railway has confirmed that customers will not be permitted to charge the devices at their stations or on their trains, and that they will not be accepted as lost property.

The ban also covers e-unicycles, e-skateboards and hoverboards. Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban, as are mobility scooters for those with accessibility needs. Customers are advised to check with staff if they are unsure.

South Western Railway’s ban on e-scooters comes just a few months after the Daily Echo reported that Southampton City Council had received more than 1,500 complaints over the city’s Voi e-scooter trial.

Two people riding on the two wheeled e-scooter prompted nearly 650 complaints alone.

Voi revealed to the Echo that the company had banned 52 people for life, while issuing a further 1,243 temporary bans to those misusing the e-scooters.

The council said the number of complaints is a "very small proportion" of the total number of rides.