South Kesteven District Council has embarked on a robust campaign against out-of-town taxi and private hire operators in response to local taxi drivers’ complaints about uneven competition. Despite the fact that licensed drivers are allowed to ply their trade anywhere in England and Wales, the local authorities are tackling the issue head-on. The licensing personnel, working together with Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police, are continually displacing visiting drivers from ranks whilst tackling the problem of illegal parking.
Councillor Philip Knowles, cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, underscored the council’s dedication in rectifying the legal loophole that permits drivers, who are licensed elsewhere, to operate within the district. “We are carrying out thorough patrols during the weekend and evening hours in all four towns. This begins with offering advice and issuing warnings to promote adherence,” Knowles conveyed.
The council brought attention to the legal loophole that fetters its capacity to monitor drivers who defy the law. There might be drivers who, despite having their licences revoked, could still be operating under the licence of a different council. In instances where out-of-town drivers are discerned, their information is kept and forwarded to their regulating authority, unless evidence is provided that they are awaiting a pre-hired fare.
It is anticipated that the patrols will persist until October, and council leader Ashley Baxter is fervently lobbying the government to address this issue. This autumn, a workshop is scheduled to air concerns and offer guidance to drivers.
This report was adapted by The Lincoln Post from the original coverage by www.bbc.com.
