Andy Peters Brighton & Hove Cab Trade Association
info@bhcta.co.uk www.bhcta.co.uk
Chichester problems – update
My policy is that where I moan and complain I should always give praise where praise is due. So, having had a moan last month directed at Chichester licensing for not having any licensing enforcement officers checking up on their huge number of drivers/PHVs that predominantly work in Brighton, I am delighted to now give them praise.
After a series of reports against Chichester drivers for parking on, stopping on, teetering on our taxi ranks having been sent to Chichester licensing, we were assured that an email would be sent out to all their drivers. It was quite a good email too:
“Dear Licensed Driver,
Due to a recent number of private hire drivers / vehicles using taxi ranks, it is necessary to remind you of the following:
Taxi ranks are exclusively for hackney carriage vehicles; under no circumstances may private hire vehicles stop, park, nor drop-off at a taxi rank;
It is illegal for any vehicle which is not a hackney carriage of the local licensing authority to stop, park or drop-off at its taxi ranks, and anyone doing so may be subject to enforcement action by that local licensing authority.
Instances of Chichester private hire drivers/vehicles using the taxi ranks are frequently reported to this licensing authority, and are causing the taxi ranks' local licensing authorities additional work: Take note that any incidences reported to this licensing authority are recorded against the individual concerned and may be used in any determination of them being 'Fit and Proper' to hold licences.
Regards Licensing Team”
However, whilst that was an excellent warning, unfortunately it has not stopped persistent Chichester PHV drivers from carrying on regardless. So, another batch of complaints had to be sent. I have also suggested that as 99% the Chichester drivers / PHVs working in the city here are controlled by Uber
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Chichester then the question should be raised about the company being ‘Fit and Proper’ to be a licensed operator.
I am looking to ask various other LAs that have their PHVs predominantly working here to send a similar email to their drivers.
Bus lanes
Next door to Brighton in Peacehaven on the coast road, cameras were recently installed by East Sussex County Council in the bus lane with signage stating: ‘Taxi’. If a taxi or PHV uses the lane an automatic fine is sent. If proof that vehicle is licensed is supplied then the fine is cancelled and the vehicle is added to an ‘Approved’ list.
I contacted ESCC and informed them that currently the signage only allows hackney carriages, and not PHVs as the signs state ‘Taxi’ and that a taxi is a hackney carriage and not a PHV and I provided the following information:
Traffic Signs Manual -2019 Department of Transport Chapter 3 – Section 9 – 9.1.2
“This section defines bus lanes and gates using prescribed traffic signs, primarily for buses, cyclists, taxis, and solo motorcycles. If certain vehicles like private hire vehicles are also permitted, it’s indicated by “authorised vehicles” on the sign. For other vehicles, such as heavy goods vehicles, authorisation from the national authority is required. Working drawings for non-prescribed signs, including those for bus lanes allowing heavy goods vehicles and high occupancy vehicle lanes, can be requested from the Department.
Bus Lanes:
These lanes are often reserved for buses, and may also include cyclists, taxis and solo motorcycles, as indicated by the signs.
Authorised Vehicles:
If a sign indicates “Authorised Vehicles,” it means that in addition to the primary vehicles, other specific types of vehicles, like private hire vehicles, are also permitted to use the lane.”
I informed them that if they wanted to allow PHVs to also use the bus lanes then the signage must be changed to
Vehicles” as stipulated by the DfT. SEPTEMBER 2025 PHTM include the wording “Authorised
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