Hyndburn Council is considering a significant shake-up of the borough's taxi and private hire sector.

The local authority is exploring the possibility of granting Uber a licence to operate in the area, and is also investigating the feasibility of setting up an independent MoT testing station for taxis and PHVs.

The moves were announced by council leader, Cllr Munsif Dad, at a cabinet meeting on 4 December.

The council's decision to engage with Uber comes amid growing concern about the number of vehicles licensed outside of Lancashire operating within the county.

Local taxi and private hire drivers have long been campaigning for an independent privately-run MoT testing station, citing dissatisfaction with the council's current facility.

In February 2023, drivers even threatened strike action, alleging unfair treatment at the council's MoT center.

Cllr Dad expressed the council's commitment to supporting the local taxi trade: "We recognise the importance of the taxi trade to our local economy and are committed to supporting it in any way we can.

"We have also invited Uber for discussions regarding applying for a licence in Hyndburn.

"We are taking this proactive measure as we want to ensure the best standards for taxis in our area, and to do that we want taxis to be licensed here."

A council spokesperson said after the meeting: "An independent MoT station would not be operated by the council, providing taxi drivers with an additional option for MoT testing their vehicle.

"Whilst this is at very early stages, it is something we have been asked to look into many times by our local licensed drivers."

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Drivers in the West Midlands are being warned to be on their best behaviour, as unseen eyes are watching their every move.

While traditional speed cameras are a familiar sight, a new wave of surveillance is emerging, and it’s coming from the vehicles around you.

Dashcam and mobile phone footage is being increasingly used by police to prosecute dangerous and speeding drivers.

The number of submissions to West Midlands Police’s Operation Snap has skyrocketed in recent years, as more and more motorists equip their vehicles with dashcams.

Previously it has been a challenge for the force to sift through all the footage sent in, but more staff have been hired in a bid to ensure they make as much use of it as possible.

They are encouraging anyone who has dashcam or mobile phone footage filmed by a passenger to send it in via the West Midlands Police website. The number of footage submissions to Operation Snap has soared from 207 in 2017 to 7,145 in 2023, and more than 13,524 already this year.

Tanya Johnson, who oversees Operation Snap, explained: “We know how frustrating it can be to see people driving in ways that puts other road users at risk, and Op Snap is a powerful response to that.”

While some may criticise the initiative as outsourcing police work, Johnson emphasised the public’s role in improving road safety.

“We can’t be everywhere all at the same time,” she said. “The response to our work has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s great that so many people are recognising that they can play their own part in making the roads safer.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster added: "I want the credit the essential work that is being undertaken to tackle dangerous and reckless driving, to keep our roads safe and reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads."

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Swindon Borough Council’s licensing committee has approved a new policy which would impose penalty points on drivers for numerous infractions and if enough points are accrued, a review of the driver’s licence could follow. 

At the lowest level misusing the vehicle’s horn would attract three points, as would leaving a hackney carriage on the rank leaving a blockage.

Smoking in the taxi would attract six points, as would parking in a rank outside the licensing district and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

There are some sliding scale offences: poor driving standards, a hackney carriage driver refusing a fare at a rank without good reason, and failing to comply with conditions of the driver, vehicle or operator licence comes in at six to 12 points.

While abusive or improper behaviour could receive three, 12, or any number of points in between.

Licensing manager Jason Kirkwood told the committee: “When a driver has accrued 12 points unless the matter is of such seriousness that an officer decided to suspend their licence, then the officer will consider the best way forward.

“That may be a licensing review which would go to a licensing sub-committee or panel.

“This sort of scheme is being implemented by many licensing authorities across the country. The list of penalties is recommended in the statutory guidance.”

Members of the committee were concerned that drivers should be given a chance to improve and asked about standards of evidence.  

Licensing officers assured them that any investigation would need solid evidence to proceed and if a licence is revoked after a subcommittee review that is appealable to a magistrates’ court within 21 days.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the policy be ratified by the full council in February, and if it is, it will come into force on April 1.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A Conwy taxi driver has called for an increase in fares to help struggling drivers cope with rising costs.

Aethelwulf Hodkinson, a Llandudno-based driver, has written to Conwy County Borough Council requesting an increase in the current tariff, which has remained unchanged since February 2022.

The current fare is £3.60 for the first mile and 30p for each subsequent tenth of a mile. Mr Hodkinson is proposing an increase to £4 for the first mile and 30p for each twelfth of a mile thereafter. He also suggests increasing charges for waiting times and other services.

In his letter, Mr Hodkinson highlighted the significant impact of rising costs, particularly fuel prices, on taxi drivers. He also pointed out the disparity between the increasing cost of living and the stagnant taxi fares.

Conwy County Borough Council’s licensing committee will consider the request at a meeting on Monday, 9 December.

The committee has the power to grant, refuse, or propose alternative fare increases.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

New data from ride-hailing firm Bolt reveals that Thursdays are stealing the spotlight for nights out. The ratio of Thursday-to-Friday nighttime trips has skyrocketed by 32% in the last three years.

In 2021, for every 100 people that were out on Friday between 6pm and 6am, there were 57 out on Thursday. In 2024, that number has jumped to 751.

Bolt’s trip data also reveals that peak hours for nightlife are shifting, now occurring one hour earlier. In 2024, the busiest time was 11pm on a Saturday, whereas in 2023, it was midnight.

Additional research from Bolt reveals that overall, over a quarter (27%) of Brits are going ‘out’ less at night compared to last year, with rising costs as the main reason. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of those scaling back say they’re deterred by expenses, while 26% cite safety concerns, and 15% say they’re discouraged by fewer open venues.

Despite this trend, Newcastle, Bristol, and Edinburgh still lead the UK in night-time activity, beating London. However, these cities have all seen a decline over the last year.

Of those who do go ‘out’ at night, the majority (55%) visit restaurants, with two fifths (41%) commonly going to pubs, and about a quarter (26%) going to the cinema. Under a quarter also commonly go to bars (23%) or the theatre (22%). Only about a tenth (11%) go to a club and one in six (16%) go to a live music or comedy venue.

Chris McMillan, Operations Manager at Bolt, said: “Ride-hailing plays a key role in supporting the night-time economy, with our data showing that 22% of ride-hailing users rely on this mode of transport to visit bars and restaurants, attend events, and explore tourist destinations. In addition to being an efficient and safe way to get around, shared mobility gives a boost to businesses.

"Nightlife has changed over the last few years, with people now preferring weekday evenings to big weekend nights out. However, our insights show that people are going out less overall. This is impacting businesses and individuals alike, from bars and clubs, to restaurants and drivers. We all have a joint objective of protecting and rejuvenating this essential sector, which not only adds billions to the economy but provides a livelihood for millions of people."

Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, said: "These findings from Bolt underscore a significant challenge facing the night-time economy. With people going out less, and many citing financial pressures, our sector faces profound impacts on both footfall and business sustainability. The shift to earlier hours and the drop in late-night engagement are reshaping the landscape for nightlife, with venues struggling to adapt. As an essential part of our culture and economy, we must urgently address these issues with government and stakeholders to support the businesses and communities that thrive in the night-time economy."

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it