Taxi 'go slow' protest in city centre
TAXI drivers staged a 'go slow' protest in Salisbury city centre this afternoon in protest against Wiltshire Council’s licensing procedures.
Drivers moved in convoy in a slow circuit around the one-way system for an hour and a half, starting at noon.
Organiser Stuart Commins said: “We would like to apologise to people for the inconvenience but Wiltshire Council doesn’t listen to anything we say.
“This is the only way we can think of to get our voices heard.”
The drivers are calling for a cap to be put on the number of licence plates that are issued to drivers in the city to protect existing businesses, preventing too many people vying for the same jobs and there being more cabs than spaces for them to be parked.
“It’s like someone in high places in Swindon thinks that Salisbury is the same size,” said Mr Commins.
“There are about 200 taxis but only 27 spaces for them and there isn’t enough work for everyone.
“We pay £250 a year for our badge/licence and we get nothing back for that.
“The council is issuing plates to anyone who wants one; they are taking business away from us and putting more taxis on the road.”
The convoy of cabs started from coach park and made its way along Castle Street, Blue Boar Row, Brown Street and around the one-way system back to Castle Street at low speeds.
Local authorities do currently have the powers to place a cap on the number of licences issued but it is their choice whether to do so.
The Law Commission is currently undertaking a review of taxi and private hire services with the aim of improving and simplifying the procedures surrounding it.
The Law Commission was initially expected to recommend the removal of caps, but has backed away from this move following intense lobbying from trade representatives.
The commission’s report is not due to be published until the end of this year, but Salisbury taxi drivers are calling on Wiltshire Council to introduce a cap ahead of the report’s publication.
A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “As has always been the case, market demand will dictate how many taxis can be supported in any given location.
“This will not change, and there are no plans to propose a cap.
“We are harmonising the taxi conditions in Salisbury, which takes effect in September, and we believe this will alleviate any problems of a lack of rank space.
“These changes have been brought in so taxi licence conditions are consistent throughout the county.
“In order to give the businesses time to plan and adopt for the new regulations, we also agreed to phase in these changes.
“As we have always done, we will continue to support the taxi trade as the new regulations take effect.”
Police were kept informed of the protest.