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New taxi rules to be introduced after taxi drivers lose Judicial Review
Posted on behalf of Salford Liberal Democrats On Friday 18th December, Hackey (black cab) taxi drivers with support from Unite, Britains biggest trade union, sought a Judicial Review to overturn Salford Council’s decision to implement new rules for taxi drivers across the city. The Judge, Mr Justice Parker, in handing down his judgement, refused permission for Judicial Review proceedings and awarded costs to Salford City Council. It is understood the Council’s costs amount to £16,000 and the taxi trade’s costs could exceed £50,000. The new taxi rules, which will come into force immediately, allow for a removal of the current limits on the number of hackney cab licences the council can issue as well as other new rules which include refusing to licence any taxi which does not meet the council’s stringent emissions standards. This potentially means all vehicles over 7 years old cannot be licensed for use as a taxi. Councillor Owen said: “The decision is deeply disappointing. The taxi trade has been landed with huge legal costs, when all they really wanted was more meaningful consultation with the council. They have been forced down this road by the Council’s unwillingness to listen and it is disappointing that Mr Justice Parker did not realise that.” Councillor Owen added: “The council has ignored repeated pleas from the taxi trade and pressed on with the implementation of these new draconian rules, many of which are unnecessary and will cause financial hardship for taxi drivers and operators at a time when the country is deep in a recession. I’m sure the net effect of these rules will be the loss of jobs in Salford for which the council will be directly responsible.” Councillor Owen continued: “This decision also affects the private hire trade and some taxi drivers and operators feel that they have been ill advised by their legal counsel, but I believe the taxi trade, as a whole, has received a raw deal from Salford City Council. I have supported the taxi trade throughout this battle and while the outcome is obviously not what we wanted, it has been a worthwhile fight. I will continue to support the taxi trade and fight for a fairer system on their behalf.”
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