Taxi drivers in Chelmsford, in Essex, have appealed to their local council to freeze the issuing of Hackney Carriage plates in a bid to safeguard their livelihoods.
Taxi drivers say they are struggling to make a living in the area and have made a number of pleas to the council to freeze license numbers. Following a long-running dispute, Chelmsford Taxi Association decided to take the initiative and review the taxi provision in the local authority area.
Taxi Meeting
A special meeting was arranged by the committee overseeing the review to hear the views of taxi drivers and any other interested parties. During the meeting, the committee were told that there are currently 169 licensed taxis. Since delimitation in 2005 taxi numbers has increased from 82 to 169.
The board also heard from councillors and the Essex Chambers of Commerce, which believes there are already enough taxis in Chelmsford. Local commuters and rail travellers are also in agreement.
Chairman of the Council’s taxi licensing committee, Tom Hughes, stated that all comments would be considered by the committee’s task and finish group, which will report back soon.