ROUND THE COUNCILS
WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD: FEES RISE AND POINTS ADJUSTMENT
Taxi drivers in Windsor are raising concerns about competition from out-of-town Uber drivers as they face an increase in their own licence fees. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) has approved a switch from annual £100 licences to three- year licences costing £336, a £12 annual increase. The council cites rising licensing service costs as the reason for the increase, stating a projected £23,000 shortfall in 2025/26. At a licensing panel meeting, taxi drivers criticised the council for not applying similar charges to TfL licensed Uber drivers operating in the borough. Sultan Jaffri, a taxi driver representative, argued that the council’s revenue loss stemmed from TfL-licensed Uber vehicles working within the borough, not from local drivers. “The main loss of revenue to the council is having TfL operated vehicles in the borough working for Uber – not having the vehicle licensed by RBWM,” Jaffri stated. He urged the council to consider the impact of such decisions on local taxi drivers. Jaffri further suggested that more drivers would apply for local private hire licences if out-of-town Uber drivers were subject to the same regulations. RBWM Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, Greg Nelson, acknowledged the competition but stated the council could not prevent Uber drivers licensed elsewhere from operating in the borough. Cllr Jack Douglas expressed sympathy for the drivers’ concerns, noting the challenges they face with rising costs and competition from outside operators. “I do want to express some sympathy towards Mr Jaffri and what he’s saying that times are hard for drivers, costs are going up and you’re getting bitter competition from operators who are undercutting you from outside the borough,” Douglas commented. The panel also agreed to extend the penalty point accumulation period for drivers from one year to the three-year licence term. Drivers accrue points for offences, such as parking violations, facing review after accumulating 12 points. Cllr Gurch Singh defended the new policy, stating: “What this policy will do effectively is keep the drivers on their toes and will allow residents to know we take drivers’ standard and driver behaviour very seriously.” He also praised the high standard of drivers in the borough.
PHTM MARCH 2025
GUILDFORD: TAXI RANK CHANGES
Significant changes are on the horizon for Guildford's taxi ranks as the town centre’s long-awaited North Street redevelopment project gets underway. With demolition already begun, the project, which will bring 477 new homes and a 2.2-acre town square, necessitates adjustments to taxi services to minimise disruption. The changes, expected to be implemented in “early summer 2025” in line with developer St Edward’s construction timetable, include temporary and permanent closures of existing ranks, along with the creation of new temporary ranks in different locations. Guildford Borough Council has stated these changes will “ensure minimal disruption” for residents and businesses. Councillor Merel Rehorst-Smith, lead councillor for licensing, emphasised the importance of the adjustments. “These adjustments will help maintain efficient services and prioritise public convenience as Guildford undergoes this exciting redevelopment,” she said. Looking ahead, she added: “Once North Street is complete, the number and locations of taxi ranks will be reviewed with Surrey County Council to ensure we are providing a good amount of well-located licensed spaces accessible to all.” Among the key changes are the temporary designation of the lower High Street’s parking bays as taxi ranks, and a section of double yellow lines on Bedford Road outside St James House will become a nighttime taxi rank. The Friary Centre’s taxi ranks on North Street will be temporarily closed, and the ranks outside Marks & Spencer on North Street will be removed permanently to facilitate pedestrianisation of the road. Despite these changes, several taxi rank locations will remain unaffected. These include the parking bays adjacent to Bedford Road Surface Car Park, the single yellow line outside Dolphin House in North Street, the parking bays outside Pizza Express and Oxfam on the Upper High Street, the Millbrook (A281) bus stop, and the ranks at Guildford and London Road Railway Stations. For detailed information on the taxi rank changes, residents are encouraged to visit the Guildford Borough Council’s website at:
https://shorturl.at/6CObr
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