Chelmsford City Council is facing opposition from local taxi drivers over plans to charge them between £500 to £1,500 for permits to operate at the new Beaulieu Park railway station.

Chelmsford City Council owns the land allocated for the new station taxi rank at the station and says it will manage it accordingly.  

The council aims to limit the number of taxis accessing the rank, potentially issuing only 50 permits in the first year.

There are about 200 black cabs, 100 of which pay £1,200 for permission to use the rank at Chelmsford Station, which Greater Anglia owns. However, Chelmsford Taxi Drivers Association said they believe it is “unjust and unlawful” for a council to profit from the licensed trade - regardless of where the funds end up.

A statement on behalf of the Chelmsford Taxi Drivers Association claimed the council wanted to “double permit” the drivers - saying they already pay to license their vehicles as taxis.

The association said: “Any refusal to allow a locally licensed hackney carriage vehicle from using a locally adopted taxi rank would be an offence and a complete waste of council funds, and any suggestion otherwise would be, in our opinion, misplaced."

They further warned that the council could face legal challenges if it proceeds with the proposed charges.

The association expressed concerns that these restrictions could discourage taxis from operating at the station, compromising public safety and convenience. "Ensuring that sufficient taxis are available to transport the public home safely and promptly should remain a key priority for the council," the statement emphasised.

Chelmsford City Council acknowledged that it owns the land and therefore is responsible for implementing a system that manages vehicle access to the rank, both accommodating passengers’ needs and preventing clogging of routes into and out of the station.

A council spokesperson stated that permit systems are common at rail stations allowing a limited number of vehicles access. 

The spokesperson added: "On Thursday, January 23, the council’s Regulatory Committee agreed to a consultation regarding the proposal for use of the taxi rank at Beaulieu Park station to require a permit.

"This proposal will be open for consultation for six weeks, with consultees including all taxi operators and drivers within the Chelmsford City Council area as well as other interested parties.

“Following the consultation period, all responses will be brought back to the Regulatory Committee for members to consider.”

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"Worthing Borough Council Licensing Unit are contacting you as a matter of courtesy to make you aware that we have received an application from Uber Britannia Ltd and have recently issued a new operators licence to them.

"We are responsible for the licensing of hackney carriage (taxi) drivers and vehicles, private hire drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators in Worthing.

"When assessing a private hire operator licence, we consider various criteria to ensure that the operator is fit and proper and can meet the necessary standards.

"Our primary function is the protection of the public, while providing businesses with the relevant licences necessary to carry out a legitimate business. We have a duty to consider all lawful applications, which are all subject to the same checks.

"There is no facility to consult with the trade as part of the process and any operator licence application is private until such time it has been granted. However we wanted to contact you as we appreciate it would be better for you to hear from us first wherever possible.

"If you have any questions then do not hesitate to contact the licensing office."

Regards

Teresa Bowley

Licensing Specialist

Public Health & Regulation

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Bradford Metropolitan District Council is exploring the possibility of scrapping its traditional knowledge test for taxi and private hire drivers, raising questions about the continued relevance of this long-standing requirement in the age of GPS technology.

The council is currently reviewing its licensing regulations, with the potential elimination of the knowledge test – which assesses drivers' familiarity with local landmarks, routes, and areas – being a key consideration.

While some drivers, like Talib Hussain, argue that a strong understanding of Bradford's road network is crucial for providing efficient and reliable service, others, such as Taj Mohammed, believe the test has become outdated.

"You can't rely on GPS all the time," Mr Hussain said. "It can sometimes mislead you, and I believe my driving has significantly improved due to my in-depth knowledge of the city."

Conversely, Mr Mohammed, a veteran driver with nearly 50 years of experience, stated: "I think it's an unnecessary obstacle now. Even for newer drivers, I don't see any disadvantage. The more they utilise GPS, the better they'll learn the city through practical experience."

Nadeem Ahmed, chair of the Bradford Private Hire Operators' Association, echoes this sentiment, describing the current test as "a bit of an irrelevance" in the modern era of highly reliable GPS systems.

The council's review also encompasses potential modifications to livery and branding regulations, as well as a reassessment of the rules surrounding statutory declarations of previous criminal convictions.

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A Norwich taxi driver is facing a £1,000 repair bill after a hit-and-run involving a Just Eat delivery cyclist.

Zsolt Horvath was stopped at a pedestrian crossing on Unthank Road when the cyclist crashed into the back of his vehicle.

Mr Horvath, 44, exited his car to assess the damage and speak with the cyclist. However, the alleged offender quickly remounted their bike and fled the scene.

The entire incident was captured on Mr Horvath's dashcam, which he promptly reported to both the police and Just Eat.

"The biggest frustration for me is the lack of consequences for this incident," Mr Horvath said. "If I had hit a cyclist and driven off, I would be facing serious charges by now."

Norfolk Constabulary has confirmed that an investigation into the incident, which occurred on 2 January, is currently underway.

A Just Eat spokesperson stated: "We expect all drivers associated with Just Eat to act responsibly and respectfully."

"Many drivers delivering food are employed directly by independent restaurants, while others are self-employed contractors," the spokesperson continued.

"Regardless of their employment status, we expect all drivers to adhere to high standards of conduct. When we become aware of any practices that fall below these expectations, we take appropriate action."

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North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about an assault on a taxi driver in the Bradley area of Skipton.

It happened at around 9.30pm on Monday 23 December 2024 and involved a man pulling and holding onto a taxi driver’s hood causing difficulties with his breathing.

Police officers are appealing for information to assist with the identification of the suspect who is described as a white British man, bald head, aged around 40, about 6ft tall with an average build.

Please email jordan.paton@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help the investigation.

Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jordan Paton, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Please quote reference 12240234451 when passing on information.

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