Taxi Driver Online

Changes to taxi system mooted

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THE regulation for taxis in Wear Valley is being reviewed by Durham County Council to ensure all drivers are treated equally across the county.

Currently rules differ across the county as the industry was regulated by the seven individual district councils which merged into the unitary authority in April.

Head of environment, health and consumer protection, Joanne Waller, said the council is aware there are many complex issues involved.

She said: “It is precisely because we know this is an emotive and diverse issue that we are launching such a broad consultation process.

Over the coming months, we will be liaising with, and seeking opinions from, everyone with an interest in the subject.

It is important that everyone knows this is an entirely fresh look at the whole area.

There is no pre agenda, all views will be heard and the decision made by the council next year will be informed by the outcome of the consultation.”

Some of the major issues to be resolved include whether to maintain seven Licensing Zones for Hackney Carriages (Taxis) or to create a single Countywide licensing zone.

The review will also decided whether or not all taxis should be the same colour and how many taxi licences there should be in the county.

Bob Young, portfolio holder for strategic environment and leisure said: “This consultation process has been carefully planned and thought through to make sure that all interested parties have their say and feel part of the decision making process.

“A great deal of background work is already under way for phase one of the consultation.

During phase two we will meet with a wide range of parties, including a taxi trade working group we are setting up, the newly formed Area Action Partnerships and citizen’s panels, to enable us to draw up a detailed list of options for final consultation.

“In the third and final phase of the consultation, the council will ask anyone with an interest in this matter to give their opinions in a postal questionnaire.

“This is truly a thorough and wide ranging process.”

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