ROUND THE COUNCILS CORNWALL:
DUNDEE: SCRAPPING TAXI ZONES WARNING
Falmouth taxi drivers are raising the alarm over potential “serious consequences” for passengers and local livelihoods if Cornwall Council proceeds with a plan to scrap the county's current six taxi licensing zones and create a single operating area. Cornwall taxis are currently licensed across six separate zones - Penwith, Kerrier, Carrick, Restormel, North Cornwall, and Caradon - a system based on the former district councils and maintained since the unitary authority was established in 2009. Drivers are only permitted to pick up passengers in their licensed area, and fare tariffs vary between zones. Cornwall Council has opened a consultation on the proposal, arguing that creating a single licensing zone would align with Government guidance, simplify the system for passengers, improve overall taxi availability, and lead to a fairer framework. The council has stressed that existing taxi ranks would remain unchanged. However, local drivers fear the deregulation would allow taxis from anywhere in Cornwall to operate in towns such as Falmouth, leading to an “influx of unfamiliar drivers” who lack local expertise and rely heavily on satellite navigation. David Kendall, a Falmouth taxi driver with 43 years of experience, warned that the change could undermine quality and safety standards. “The influx of drivers from other districts, relying solely on satellite navigation systems, has led to significant issues,” Kendall said. “These drivers often lack essential local knowledge, resulting in overcharging and substandard service for passengers.” He added that “Deregulation undermines the licensing department’s mission to safeguard the public by ensuring drivers meet rigorous standards of professionalism and local expertise.” The drivers' concerns have been heightened by the recent licensing of Uber in Cornwall, which many fear, combined with deregulation, could threaten the viability of traditional taxi services and diminish the quality of transport options for residents. The Falmouth Taxi Association is now urging residents to support their local drivers by participating in the council’s consultation before any final decision is made. Cornwall Council's consultation can be found at
https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/taxi-zones
50 UNIFORM RULES CHALLENGED
A group of Dundee taxi drivers has strongly pushed back against the city’s mandatory uniform policy, claiming the existing rules pose a risk to their health and are “unsafe.” The backlash follows a reminder issued by Dundee City Council in August, which warned drivers could lose their licences for failing to comply with the dress code. The reminder came amid concerns about some drivers wearing “football attire,” shorts, and tracksuits while on duty. Current rules mandate a dress shirt, blouse, or polo shirt, with dress-type trousers or a skirt, and dress shoes, boots, or dress sandals. The council’s stance had previously been welcomed by some in the industry, with one cabbie telling The Courier: “I’ve seen drivers in baseball caps and tracksuit bottoms. I’m pleased efforts are being made to address the issue.” However, in a recent letter to the newspaper, an anonymous group of drivers - signing off as “a collection of local cabbies” - argued the policy is severely outdated and called for the council to bring its policy “into the 21st century.” “Dundee taxi drivers deserve better than a dress code that belongs in another era,” the letter stated. “Forcing us into leather shoes, formal trousers and shirts might look tidy on paper, but in reality, it is unsafe, unhealthy and out of step with modern working standards.” The group specifically cited overheating and dehydration during summer months, as well as the impracticality of the attire when helping customers with heavy shopping. They even suggested the smarter clothes inhibit them from doing light exercises between jobs, affecting their ability to stay active. The cabbies propose modern work wear as a sensible alternative, arguing: “It is entirely possible to look smart, presentable and respectful in modern work wear, smart trainers, loose trousers, or tailored shorts in summer.” The group concluded that their objection is not about fashion, but “a matter of safety, dignity and basic health.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman responded simply by stating: “Taxi drivers can raise issues directly with the city council if they have any concerns.”
NOVEMBER 2025 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
