Taxi rules could be standardised across West Cheshire RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on proposed taxi licensing changes to standardise rules across West Cheshire.
Cheshire West and Chester Council inherited different policies from the previous local authority areas of Ellesmere Port and Neston, Chester and Vale Royal.
Currently there are taxi zones meaning hackney cabs can only pick up passengers in their zone, for example, in Ellesmere Port and Neston. Unlike other zones in West Cheshire, there is also a limit of 51 hackney cabs in Ellesmere Port and Neston.
People completing the consultation will be asked if they agree zones and the limit in Ellesmere Port and Neston should be abolished.
In Vale Royal saloon cars without wheelchair access can be licensed as hackney cabs and consultees are asked if they think saloons should be allowed to operate as hackney cabs in Ellesmere Port and Neston too.
Restrictions on the colour of the vehicles may also be put in place and the fare structure may be unified across the borough.
The council is inviting feedback on the possible changes during a three-month consultation period which began this week.
Copies of the questionnaire are available in public buildings and community venues throughout the borough, backed by a poster and press advertising campaign.
Cllr Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “I would urge everyone who uses taxis or works in the trade to let us know their views on the possible changes.
“All feedback will be considered when a decision is taken on whether to change any of the existing policies – so every opinion really does count.”
The consultation is focussed on taxis, their drivers and drivers of private hire vehicles. Licensing changes to private hire vehicles have already been introduced following earlier consultation.
Anyone wishing to register their views can do so in the following ways:
Complete a paper copy of the questionnaire and send it to Research and Intelligence Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Goldsmith House, Hamilton Place, Chester CH1 1SE, or drop it off at any library.
Complete the questionnaire at
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.u ... nsultationWrite to the council at the address above (please mark it Taxi Consultation).
Send an email to taxiconsultation@cheshirewestandchester. gov.uk.
Call 0300 123 8 123 and ask to comment on the taxi consultation.
The consultation closes on Monday, April 16.
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