Guildford Borough Council and several other authorities are considering the de-restriction of taxi numbers.

Following the Office of Fair Trading's recommendation to local authorities to de-restrict taxi numbers, Guildford Bourough Council's licensing committee has launched a consultation to review its current policy of controlling taxi numbers.  An independent survey on demand for taxi services was last undertaken in 1998 and this concluded that there was no unmet demand for taxi services at that time.

Questionnaires have been sent to a range of interested parties for their response, and the licensing committee will consider a report later this month.

The questionnaires have been sent to drivers and operators in both the taxi and private hire trades.  Taxi users will also be asked for their views, including police, transport groups, groups representing those with special travel needs and local businesses.  Adverts informing the public about the consultation were to be placed in the Surrey Advertiser.

The licensing committee can either decide to remove quantity controls on taxis or retain the controls, necessitating an unmet demand survey.

Stratford-upon-avon
Meanwhile, Stratford District Council's licensing committee has voted unanimously to remove the limit on the number of taxis to improve the availability of accessible vehicles in the town.  This is subject to approval by the council's Executive.

But Jim Bryan of the Stratford Taxi Trade Association said that demand for such vehicles was extremely low and that no decision should be taken until a proper consultation was carried out.

However, Elizabeth Dixon of the South Warwickshire Access Group branded Mr Bryan's lack of demand claim a "very poor defence".

Selby
Selby District Council has decided to de-restrict taxi numbers in the area, leading to claims that businesses built up over the years could be destroyed, and that quality and safety could suffer.

Dennis Marshall of the Selby Taxi Association voiced fears that a major taxi firm could flood the area with vehicles, and claimed that there were already insufficient taxi rank spaces.

There are currently 29 taxis operating in the town, and the council believes that another dozen applicants on the waiting list would join the existing fleet.

The council claimed that de-restricting numbers would lead to a better service for consumers and underlined that prospective operators will be fully vetted before being granted a license.

Chelmsford
A consultation on the restriction of taxi numbers has also been launched by Chelmsford Borough Council.

Consultees have been asked for their views on the possible impact of de-restricting taxi numbers from the current 82, including the impact on taxi users, other road users, community safety, existing taxi license holders and prospective taxi license holders.

The consultation is also considering the quality standards in relation to taxi licenses, including:

- whether all taxis should be accessible and if so what timescale should be adopted to make this compulsory

- whether a standard livery is appropriate and what this livery would consist of (eg colour, signage etc)

- whether '3-years old on' and '6-years old off' age restrictions on vehicles would be appropriate (10 years for accessible vehicles)

- whether all vehicles should be designated non-smoking for both passengers and drivers. 

Click here to read views on this topic or post your own