Council faces judicial review over taxi deregulation

A group of taxi drivers has launched legal action against a local authority over its plans to deregulate taxi services.

The licensing committee at Richmondshire District Council last October approved plans to remove a limit on the number of taxi plates in issue. At the time the limit was 65, of which 61 were in use.

The move came amid concerns that taxis did not ply for hire far beyond the areas of Richmond and Catterick Garrison, leaving those in other parts of the district without a taxi service.

The council also argued that deregulation would – in addition to improving taxi availability – lead to new small businesses being created.

But drivers have launched judicial review proceedings over the decision, arguing that Richmondshire conducted a flawed consultation on the proposals.

The claimants have obtained an injunction temporarily halting implementation of the changes, which were due to come into force on 1 April.

A spokeswoman for Richmondshire council confirmed to Local Government Lawyer that the legal action was being brought, but said the council would not be commenting further.

George Pearson, chairman of Richmond Independent Drivers’ Association, told the Northern Echo: “For the council to deregulate the taxi service they are supposed to go through a full consultation. We say that they didn’t do this – they just sprung it on us out of the blue. The court will look at the council’s review and decide whether we are right, or they are.”

Pearson added: “At the moment, there are maybe 30 cabs working in Richmond on a Saturday night – with deregulation, we could end up with 60 and the town would be flooded.”