ROUND THE COUNCILS COVENTRY:
U-TURN ON EMISSION RULES CONSIDERED
Coventry City Council is poised to roll back strict taxi emission regulations and potentially scrap a 15-year age limit on vehicles, citing concerns that current policies could drastically reduce the number of available taxis. The proposed changes, agreed at a recent cabinet meeting, will now undergo an eight- week public consultation starting August 8th. Under the new proposals, the deadline for zero- emission capable taxis could be pushed back to 2030, while the age restriction on vehicles might be abolished from January next year. This comes as the council acknowledges the severe impact on drivers from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Debbie Cahalin-Heath, strategic manager within the council’s regulatory services, warned that without these amendments, “over 400 vehicles would be required to be replaced by the taxi licensing trade. The operating fleet would be seriously reduced.” She highlighted the potential disruption to vital services, stating: “That would have an impact on the vehicles able to undertake school contracts within Coventry and Warwickshire.” Furthermore, the changes aim to address a looming shortage of WAVs, as “currently only hackney carriage vehicles are wheelchair accessible.” Ms. Cahalin-Heath emphasised that extending the policy “allows sufficient time for the trade to prepare.” The council’s report also cited DfT guidelines, which “strongly suggested that the imposition of arbitrary vehicle age limits may be inappropriate and counter- productive, recommending that local authorities focus on condition and standards, including roadworthiness and emissions.” The proposed revisions would also broaden the list of approved vehicle manufacturers, moving beyond the current limited selection of LEVC, Mercedes, and Nissan, to include popular brands such as Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Peugeot, and Volkswagen, offering drivers more choices. Meanwhile, Coventry taxi drivers have submitted a petition, backed by over 1,600 signatures, to the city council, advocating for the relocation and expansion of a taxi rank in the city centre. Drivers are pushing to move the current four-space rank on Cross Cheaping to nearby Palmer Lane, which would allow for nine spaces. The plea comes amidst recent construction
PHTM AUGUST 2025
work on the new City Centre South project, which has led to the closure of a rank on Rover Road, further reducing available spaces for drivers. A council spokesperson confirmed receipt of the petition, stating it “will be considered through the usual process” and that the council “will continue to work with Taxi Forum representatives.” However, the council currently has “no plans to change the existing taxi rank at Cross Cheaping, which accommodates four taxis,” and confirmed this capacity “will not be reduced as part of the current works.” While acknowledging discussions with the Coventry Taxi Forum over the past year regarding this issue, the council highlighted that “options are limited” for increasing capacity. The spokesperson also noted that the “deculverting of the River Sherbourne does not affect the rank.” Despite the current stance, the council confirmed it is “reviewing the wider night-time economy as part of its Purple Flag bid, and taxi provision may be looked at as part of that,” suggesting potential future consideration for improved taxi facilities.
STOKE-ON-TRENT: NEW RULES MAKE TAXIS SAFER & GREENER
Stoke-on-Trent is to introduce new rules to make the city’s taxis safer and greener. The city council’s cabinet approved changes that will mean all taxi owners must have DBS checks for unspent convictions and cautions. Drivers will continue to face enhanced DBS checks and will have to attend courses about safeguarding children and vulnerable people before they begin work - and then re-attend every three years. The new rules recommend that all drivers install CCTV in their vehicles for their safety, and their passengers. They mean drivers have to notify the council within 48 hours if they are questioned, interviewed or arrested by police. Previously the deadline was seven days. Drivers will also have to demonstrate the right to work in the UK through a UK passport or right-to-work code. The rules would effectively mean only electric and hybrid taxis will be licensed after April 2031. Conventional diesel or petrol taxis will be gradually phased out before then, with the least polluting, WAVs given longer on the city’s roads. The new rules form part of a draft taxi and private hire licensing policy for 2025. Operators and drivers have been widely consulted on the planned changes, with the majority in favour of the proposals.
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