JD said it about a week or so ago, but at least the local press have caught up.

Still looking for a justification though.


Free-for-all rejected in town cabs

COMMUNITY leaders decided against a 'free-for-all' when increasing the number of black cabs in Ellesmere Port and Neston. Councillors on the borough's licensing committee voted to give licenses to another five cabs.

Committee member Myles Hogg said: 'This is a controlled expansion of black cabs in our area, not a free-for-all. It's a policy we have had for a few years.

'A free-for-all would not assist anyone, not the private hire or black cab operators. And it could possibly be disastrous for the users of the local taxi service. 'At present, all the borough's black cabs adhere to all the modern regulations on passenger and driver safety and have CCTV cameras fitted. But if there was a free-for-all, anyone could come along wanting to operate a cab.'

The committee also said one of the black cabs should target the Neston and Willaston area for a year, to see if there is the appropriate demand.

If this arrangement doesn't work out, it could then return to doing business in the Port. Cllr Hogg (Con, Willaston & Thornton) said of the overall decision: 'It's a pragmatic, sensible way forward.

'In a year's time, Asda will have moved to its new town centre location and the other town centre improvements and alterations would have taken place.'We will assess the black cab situation again then.'

Still looking for a justification, Sussex? Well, you could start by first removing your head from up yor a**e

A free for all as you call does not mean that the council have to accept any drop in standards for hacks. So any crap stating that deregulation means a drop in standards is just an excuse for keeping a good thing (for some) to themselves.

The committee also said one of the black cabs should target the Neston and Willaston area for a year, to see if there is the appropriate demand.

And it could possibly be disastrous for the users of the local taxi service. 'At present, all the borough's black cabs adhere to all the modern regulations on passenger and driver safety and have CCTV cameras fitted. But if there was a free-for-all, anyone could come along wanting to operate a cab.'

If de-regulation means everybody gets the same chance to do the same work then anybody that does like it can either try driving a private or get another job (its there choice) we dont have the choice of driving a hack like them

Even if it ends up with another 5 cabs in EP town centre, this policy of managed growth should be welcomed with open arms when you consider the total wipe - out of the trade that would be caused by deregulation.

Is their trade wiped out?