weekend then that will be nothing compared to what will happen after devolution when we are swamped with even more taxis from other areas heading towards the honeypot.
Apart from anything else how on earth could the knowledge test be undertaken when the area has over quadrupled in size?
I put it very strongly to Trevor that the only way to stop the local drivers’ trade being destroyed is to have any proposed devolved area zoned, leaving the existing licensing areas to remain as they are. I actually had to remind myself to tone it down a bit as I was so frustrated with the whole affair compounded with three weeks of a chest infection and two courses of antibiotics to also cope with….. and breath.
The point being that the government’s White Paper on Devolution, where taxis and PHVs were only briefly mentioned, and in my opinion dropped in at the last moment, seemed to hint that expanding the boundaries will be a cure for the major cross-border hiring issue. I know, you couldn’t make it up!
The fact is that this is going to be repeated throughout the country when other authorities go for devolution. The ironic thing is that if you look at the proposed Devolution Map it looks very similar to the ‘Mythical Uber Regions’ that Uber drummed up to appease local councillors a few years ago.
Andy Burnham – Mayor of Manchester
In January’s PHTM I wrote about Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester hailing the prospective new mayoral powers under devolution as a “big step forward” towards banning Wolverhampton taxis from predominantly operating in Greater Manchester.
tinyurl.com/ab18122024 However, I was really intrigued as to why he considered this to be the case? What was there in that tiny section in the White Paper that even hinted at that. So, I emailed him to ask as to why he has interpreted it that way and this was the reply.
“Dear Mr Peters,
Thank you for getting in touch with your suggestions regarding taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) operating outside the areas where they’re licensed and the difficulties this continues to pose for local drivers. Firstly, please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you.
As you’ve referred to, current legislation allows PHVs to operate anywhere in England and Wales,
PHTM MARCH 2025
irrespective of where they are licensed. As we’ve observed in Greater Manchester (GM), this allows PHV drivers and vehicles to regularly operate in areas where they’re not licensed. I am keenly aware of the challenges this can present, not only from a road safety perspective, but also in terms of the impact on local drivers who have invested time, effort, and money in gaining a licence to operate in their region.
Only a change in national legislation can prevent out-of-area operation. On 16 December, the English Devolution White Paper stated that the Government will consult on whether to give mayors outside of London the same powers to address out- of-area operations by taxis. This is a big step forward; however, there is still a way to go.
The proposal to place licensing under each Combined Authority could increase the consistency of standards and enable more effective use of enforcement powers across a greater economic area. I understand the need for the Government to collaborate with stakeholders to assess the impacts through a consultation before reaching a final decision. When that consultation opens, I will be making representations that we want safe and high-quality taxi services from a strong, thriving and well-regulated sector, which is integrated with the wider transport network here in GM. If the Government enacts this change, I will work with other Mayoral Combined Authorities to develop the policies that tackle this issue directly and the challenges it poses.
I trust this provides you with a useful update and further reassurance. Thank you again for getting in touch.
Yours sincerely, Karen Chambers, on behalf of, Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester”
Well, I have read that several times and asked others to do the same, but I am still baffled as to what the reply actually meant compared to Andy Burnhams previous statement before the election where the mayor said he had “a firm commitment” from then shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh “that out of area working will be stopped under a Labour government”.
Compare that with the reply that I received which does not relate to anything like stopping out of area working….would you agree?
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