Nothing particularly new here, and I seem to remember an article about the cross-border stuff and Weston a few years ago.
And slightly odd the way they portray the numbers at the start, as if Weston is falling behind because it's not issuing as many badges as Wolves
It's the usual stuff otherwise, though. And the stuff about it all apparently being detrimental to the nighttime economy generally seems a bit of a red herring; as if the presence of a few Wolves cars is perceived by the public as such a danger that it's stopping them going out at night
And I had to Google the MPs name to work out which party he represented - the article doesn't say
Weston MP calls for reform as taxis run by distant councils
https://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news ... -councils/
THE MP for Weston-super-Mare has appealed for “urgent reform” after it has been found that a significant number of local taxis are run by distant councils.
Dan Aldridge MP and Cllr James Clayton, Executive Member for Safety in the Community at North Somerset Council, have issued a joint appeal for reform after figures revealed that the council has issued far less taxi licences than other councils.
The figures show that North Somerset Council issued just 445 driver licences in total (including 368 private hire licences and 77 dual licences) as of April 2024.
In contrast, Wolverhampton Council licensed over 8,500 drivers in the first five months of this year alone, many of whom are now working in Weston-super‑Mare - despite being licensed hundreds of miles away.
Dan Aldridge MP said: “This loophole poses a clear danger. Drivers licensed hundreds of miles away are operating here without local oversight. Our licensing officers have no power to inspect or address issues with these vehicles or drivers.”
The current regulatory framework allows drivers to be licensed by any UK authority, even if they don’t reside or operate there, leading to reduced local accountability, inconsistent safeguarding standards, and unfair competition for local drivers who meet higher local requirements.
Cllr James Clayton added: “Local licensing is no longer effective when operators can simply register elsewhere to bypass our knowledge tests and vehicle standards. This hurts our local economy and puts Weston residents at risk.”
Residents, particularly women and vulnerable people, are increasingly expressing concerns about using taxis at night, Mr Aldridge said.
Local hospitality businesses also report a decline in evening footfall, attributing it in part to reduced confidence in the local transport network.
In response, Mr Aldridge and Cllr Clayton are requesting an urgent meeting with local taxi firms and the North Somerset Council licensing team to listen to concerns and develop local solutions
They will also be working with MPs across the UK who are facing similar problems in their constituencies.
On top of that, they will be calling on ministers to urgently launch the consultation proposed in the English Devolution White Paper, which suggests giving Local Transport Authorities more control over licensing.
They argue the current patchwork system is unfit for purpose and leaves towns like Weston “exposed to unacceptable risks”.
Dan Aldridge MP said: “This is not just a local issue-it’s a national one. That’s why I’m working with MPs across the country to push for change. We need a level playing field that supports local drivers, protects passengers, and restores public trust in taxi services.”
They are also asking the Department for Transport to ensure that any future reform includes stronger local enforcement powers, consistent safeguarding standards for all drivers, fairness for local license holders who play by the rules and the restoration of public confidence in local taxi services.