Cheshire taxi drivers plan to challenge licensing changes
ANGRY taxi drivers are planning a legal challenge against the council over controversial regulation and licensing changes.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has approved the introduction of new policy which imposes an age limit on private hire taxis and black cabs.
Under the changes, new licences will now only be issued to vehicles aged under 42 months.
Licences will expire when private hire taxis reach 10 years old and black cabs reach 15 years old.
Taxi drivers – many of whom are already struggling to cope with rising fuel prices and falling trade – told the Leader last month they feared the changes could be the ‘final nail in the coffin’.
Mark Williams, joint director of Abbey Taxis, said operators and drivers were now looking to mount a legal challenge.
“The decision is unacceptable and we are pursuing a judicial review,” he said.
Mr Williams, whose firm has about 150 drivers in Chester, has previously suggested the changes could result in an increase in fares and a drop in the number of taxis on the road.
CWaC approved the new policy when licensing committee members met on Tuesday, April 16.
Representatives from the taxi trade, including drivers, owners and business operators packed the meeting.
Cllr Adrian Walmsley, chairman of the licensing committee, told the meeting: “We value taxi drivers and the last thing we want to do is to take taxis off the road.
“We have consulted widely amongst the trade, public and other stakeholders to help inform of our new policy and I believe we have created a policy that, at its core, benefits the travelling public, raises standards and improves our environment. “
Changes to the vehicle age limits will come into force on April 1, 2016.
Transitional arrangements are being put in place for the next three years for existing licence holders.
Other changes include the introduction of a new trade-wide code of conduct for trade and new driving assessments. All black cabs must also be wheelchair accessible on or before April 1, 2016.
CWaC said the new policy was designed to ‘harmonise’ the different regimes inherited when the council was formed in 2009, raise standards and improve the environment.
http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/1218 ... anges.aspx
Login
Register
FAQ
