ROUND THE COUNCILS EDINBURGH: TEST CENTRE OPEN/ADVERTISING SCREENS
A new testing facility for Edinburgh’s taxis and PHCs is finally set to open its doors this summer following years of delays. City councillors were told at a recent meeting that the South Gyle site should be operational by May or June once final “snagging lists” are completed. The project has been plagued by problems, including faulty concrete work that had to be redone and issues securing enough power for the building. Originally estimated to cost £1 million in 2021, the final bill has soared to £2.3 million. Council officials blamed the hike on inflation and the rising cost of equipment since the pandemic. The new centre is desperately needed to replace the ageing Murrayburn facility, which has been struggling with a half-closed roof since 2022. Because of safety concerns, that site has been limited to only two inspection ramps, forcing staff to work overtime to handle the 4,000 vehicle tests required each year. The new facility will double capacity with four ramps and dedicated training spaces. For a short time, both centres will run at once to help clear the backlog. Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s taxi fleet may soon feature digital advertising screens as local councillors prepare to vote on a new proposal. The company behind the move, LA Trading, is seeking permission to install the devices on the driver’s side of the internal safety barriers, a service it provides in Manchester and Brighton. While the screens would be optional for drivers, the firm has promised strict controls over what passengers see. According to documents submitted to the council, there will be no ads featuring alcohol, tobacco, gambling, or vaping. The company also guaranteed that no content would “defame” race, gender, religious belief, or lifestyle. The screens are designed to operate without sound and can be switched off instantly if a passenger requests it. To sweeten the deal, LA Trading offered the council free airtime for health and safety messages, claiming they could reach 1.2 million riders a month if their initial goal of 200 installations is met. Despite these promises, council officers have raised some minor concerns. A report noted that the screens might result in “some reduction” of a driver’s ability to monitor the “general wellbeing” of their passengers. However, licensing officials did not formally object to the plan, provided the screens meet safety standards. They have recommended that each screen be
PHTM JUNE 2026
individually inspected at the city’s taxi testing centre for a fee of £77. Addressing safety worries, LA Trading insisted the hardware is secure and would “not become a missile” in the event of a crash. The firm added that the screens are attached with simple adhesives to ensure they do not damage the vehicles or void manufacturer warranties.
CHELMSFORD: STATION TAXI PERMIT SCHEME DROPPED
Chelmsford City Council is set to officially scrap a taxi permit scheme next month in an effort to increase the number of hackney carriages available at the new Beaulieu Park Station. Following a six-month trial, the council initially suspended the £200 permit charges to allow drivers to use the rank for free. Now, a formal decision notice published on 24 April 2026 confirms the complete removal of the permit scheme for all licensed taxis. The change is expected to be finalised on 19 June 2026 after the mandatory notice period concludes. Private hire vehicles will continue to use the standard pick-up area rather than the taxi rank. Beaulieu Park Station opened last October as the first new railway station on the Great Eastern Mainline in over a century. It was designed to relieve pressure on Chelmsford’s main station and serve the expanding Chelmsford Garden Community. While permit schemes are typically used to keep station ranks manageable, the council’s review showed the extra restriction is not currently needed despite growing passenger numbers. Paul Brookes, Director of Sustainable Communities, explained that the trial allowed the council to adapt to real-world traffic flows. “Early concerns that the taxi rank might become clogged haven’t been borne out and although the initial permit scheme was introduced with the best intentions, we could only agree with local taxi drivers that there’s little need for it right now,” Brookes said. Brookes welcomed the collaboration with the local transport industry to improve the station’s layout. “I’m grateful for the feedback we’ve had from local taxi firms - removing the permit scheme will enable any hackney carriage licensed by the council to use the rank, making it easier for taxis to meet demand for their services.”
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