Taxi Driver Online

Taxi strike threat over licence row

NORTH Wales cabbies are threatening to strike if council-lors forge ahead with plans for a licence "free for all".

Members of Denbighshire's licensing committee are being advised to scrap the current policy which limits the number of licences issued.

At present the authority permits 63 full-time and 12 seasonal licences in Rhyl, 12 full-time and two seasonal licences in Prestatyn, and a handful in other Denbighshire towns.

In January the council backed moves to approve all applications, to abolish the zones in which owners could operate and to make all licences valid throughout the county.

At the time taxi operators warned they would consider strike action in a bid to protect their businesses.

They have made their views known in a consultation exercise carried out by the council.

In addition to private letters of objection, Rhyl drivers have submitted a 52-signature petition and Prestatyn drivers a 44-signature petition.

Angry cab operators claim cover would actual ly be reduced during anti-social hours and would lead to a reduction in private-hire vehicles and a deterioration in the safety of taxis.

Both Rhyl and Rhuddlan town councils have backed the removal of restrictions. In a report being considered by the licensing committee today, officers said the government accepted local authorities knew best and restrictions should be maintained only if there was strong evidence their removal would be significantly detrimental to the consumer.

"Officers consider that the consultation exercise has been fair and that a formal decision to lift the restrictions is now required," said the report.

But Carys Rainford, owner of AJ Taxis, said the govern-ment had recently ruled deregulation should not take place for another three years.

Pauline Bird, owner of Rhyl Cars, said: "The real problem is not a shortage of vehicles but a shortage of drivers."

The last paragraph just sums it up nicely - do as I say, not as I do.

So if there is a shortage of drivers, what's the bloody problem?

Or do vehicles drive themselves in your manor?

_________________
IDFIMH

The name of the topic would lead us to believe that OFT are the baddies, but if you go to the council's site on http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/www/dccportal.nsf
and search for the licensing committee 17/05/04, you will find it's the officials that want rid of quotas.

Bless them.

_________________
IDFIMH

Is this person living in the real world?



So miss Bird admits there is a shortage, If that is the case? deregulation won't make much difference will it. Just the typical bullchit you get from owners who want to stop others having their own plate.

It seems like the Governments statement of intent is having a big effect on councils who restrict by numbers. The next few months are going to be very interesting indeed.

Best wishes

John Davies

hahahaha,
the best part was "the cabbies will go on strike"
if they do the council will save on bus subsidy!

Nige
looks like your holiday this year is in RHYL

Geoff