Hundreds of new Lime bike parking bays will be installed amid threats to ban them from Brent’s streets.

Brent Council has told Lime that it must remove its dockless bikes by the end of this month if it continues to ignore safety concerns regarding poorly parked and abandoned bikes.

The electric bike hire operator has now confirmed that it will work with the council to fund and install an initial 200 parking bays by next July.

Lime has described the plans as “an important step” in implementing a wider mandatory parking network in the capital.

The breakthrough comes after a series of meetings with the local authority in an attempt to fend off the impending ban.

Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt has described the move as “backpedalling”, and said he was pleased the operator had "conceded that mandatory parking in designated bays is both possible and preferential”.

But he added: “Whatever comes next, it is clear Lime has a long road to travel to regain the trust of our residents.”

Cllr Butt also called on Lime to address the “relative ease” at which their bikes can be “tampered with and ridden dangerously”.

He has previously said that the council decided to threaten a ban after receiving “repeated, regular complaints” about bikes being left strewn across paths and roads.

This is despite the fact Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosures by the council suggest that fewer than 60 reports about the bikes had been made through its complaints system since the start of last year.

Brent has said the figures “mask the full extent” of the issues Lime bikes cause, as complaints are often received through other channels.

Reports not included in the data include those raised directly with Lime, as well as with the council by phone, social media and emails to individual councillors and officers, the authority said.

A Lime spokesperson said: "Brent is an important partner for Lime and we are committed to working with them to get this right.

“We need to create dedicated parking spaces across London as shared e-bikes are fundamental in helping meet ambitious active travel targets across the city."

Cllr Butt added: “Over the coming weeks, the cabinet and senior officers will be considering the council's next steps; and will work with Lime to see if there can be a way forward.”