ROUND THE COUNCILS
WEST SUFFOLK: EMISSIONS RULES REPLACE AGE LIMITS
West Suffolk Council has approved a new policy that judges taxis and private hire vehicles by their emission levels rather than their age. Starting 1 July 2026, the updated rules will require all new vehicles joining the local fleet to meet the strict Euro 6 emissions standard, which limits harmful pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide and particulates. The policy also accommodates the newly introduced, even higher Euro 7 standard. The decision scraps a 2022 policy that required all new taxis to be less than five years old. The shift follows Department for Transport guidance, which states that vehicle emissions, not vehicle age, should be the main factor for licensing authorities. The council previously removed the upper age limit for existing vehicles, choosing instead to manage emissions through regular vehicle testing. The move has strong backing from local drivers. During a public consultation in March, more than 84% of respondents voted in favour of the change. Currently, around 520 vehicles - representing 90% of West Suffolk’s taxi/PH fleet - already meet the Euro 6 standards. The remaining 10% will not be forced to upgrade immediately, as the new rule only applies to new vehicles joining the fleet. While the council also asked drivers about eventually phasing in the Euro 6 standard for existing vehicles during their annual licence renewals, no start date has been set. Although two-thirds of drivers supported introducing this change either immediately or by 2027, the council acknowledged it would create a financial burden for the owners of the roughly 58 vehicles that do not currently meet the standard.
ROSSENDALE: CRACKDOWN ON CHARGING FOR CARDS
Rossendale Borough Council has launched a crackdown on taxi drivers who are illegally charging passengers extra for paying by card. The local authority acted after residents reported that some drivers were adding surcharges - often around 10 per cent or more - to the final bill. A spokesperson for the council thanked the public for
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providing evidence, stating: “Adding a surcharge for paying by card is illegal under the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations.” The authority warned that as of May 1, any driver caught adding these fees may face prosecution, as the practice is considered a “criminal offence.” The council has already begun licensing reviews and notified Trading Standards about the reported incidents. Officials are advising passengers to agree on a fare before starting their journey whenever possible and to refuse any additional card fees.
HASTINGS: TAXI AGE LIMIT EXTENSION CONSULTATION
Hastings Borough Council is set to launch a public consultation on plans to let certain taxis stay on the road for longer. Under the new proposals, the age limit for eight- seater vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) would be extended from 10 to 15 years, while age limits for electric and hydrogen vehicles could be scrapped entirely. Council officers backed the move, pointing out that the “financial barrier to entry” for new specialised vehicles has hit an “unprecedented high,” with some models now costing over £63,000. Experts argued that modern commercial vehicles are built to last, noting that “modern chassis and engines are designed to maintain peak performance well into their second decade if properly maintained.” Officials warned that forcing drivers to retire expensive cars too early acts as a “disproportionate depreciation tax” which can lead to higher fares or fewer accessible vehicles for disabled passengers. For green vehicles, they suggested that strict age limits would be “inappropriate, counterproductive and result in higher costs to the trade and ultimately passengers.” To ensure safety despite the increased age, any taxi over five years old would still have to pass two MOTs a year and an annual council inspection. The council would also look at introducing a report from an approved independent garage, covering a vehicle’s: structural integrity; mechanical performance; corrosion and bodywork; safety systems; and (where relevant) wheelchair-access equipment. The six-week consultation is expected to begin following the local elections.
JUNE 2026 PHTM
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