Taxi industry under threat from regulation changes, Cllr warns WINSFORD’s taxi industry is under threat if the borough council introduces new regulations in-line with Chester, a councillor has claimed.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is currently running a formal consultation to review its policy for hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, drivers and private hire operators.
The outcome of the consultation, which runs until February 21, could see the removal of the Vale Royal Boundary, meaning Winsford would have to follow the regulations enforced in Chester.
In Chester, vehicle licences are only issued for brand new, wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages.
If Winsford falls in line with Chester’s rules, many of the 100 cab drivers will be forced to buy brand new vehicles when they replace their current ones, as opposed to being allowed to purchase vehicles older than five years old, which current rules in Winsford allow.
The consultation was discussed by Winsford Town Council at their last full council meeting on Monday, December 21.
Cllr David Edwards, deputy mayor of Winsford and a taxi driver, said: “It’s blatantly obvious the elderly and the semi disabled need particular types of vehicles to get into.
“It’s important, in my view that people are given choice of vehicle types and therefore I hope the council make a positive response.”
CWAC has three hackney carriage zones – all with their own hackney carriage byelaws – originally covered by Chester, Ellesmere Port and Vale Royal Councils.
A hackney carriage vehicle can only operate in the zone it is licensed.
If cab drivers are required to buy a wheelchair-friendly taxi, they will be forced to pay upwards of £30,000.
Cllr Cawley said ‘this would basically put a lot of people out of business’.
Cllr Edwards said it was important Winsford’s taxi industry offered fleet a mixed-fleet, giving Winsford residents choice.
He also called on care homes, charities, community groups and individuals to take part in the consultation.
Cllr Edwards said: “If we have to adopt Chester rules, with our level of economy compared to Chester’s level of economy, there isn’t going to be money in Winsford to maintain the jobs and maintain the taxis.
“So it’s very important that we maintain the boundary because there isn’t an economic model. Chester’s economic model for taxis is not the same as Winsford.”
Winsford Town Council agreed to meet fellow councillors from Northwich and Frodsham Town Council to discuss a collective response to put to CWAC.
source:
http://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/ ... llr_warns/
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