Crackdown on out-of-town taxis operating in area

South Kesteven District Council says locally licensed taxi drivers have raised concerns about unfair competition from drivers licensed outside the area

A crackdown is taking place on out-of-town taxi and private hire drivers following concerns from local drivers about unfair competition.

Licensed drivers are allowed to operate anywhere in England and Wales and are not tied to the district where they got their licence.

South Kesteven District Council said licensing staff had been moving on visiting drivers from ranks and targeting illegal parking in conjunction with Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police.

Councillor Philip Knowles, cabinet member for licensing, said enforcement action had been taken on an "escalating scale".

Knowles said the authority was "serious about closing this loophole and bringing a more level playing field" to those licensed by the council.

He added: "We are operating intensive weekend and evening patrols in all four towns with enforcement action being taken on an escalating scale, starting with advice, then warning, as we encourage compliance."

'No restrictions in place'

The council said the legal loophole restricted its ability to monitor and manage those who did not comply with legislation and good-practice guidance.

In some cases, it said drivers might have had a licence refused or revoked by the authority but could still trade in the district and take pre-booked fares under a licence issued by another council.

Where out-of-town licensed drivers had been spotted, council officers took their details and passed them on to the driver's regulatory authority.

However, those drivers able to prove they were waiting for a pre-booked fare were allowed to stay.

Knowles added: "Legally, there are no restrictions in place about where journeys start and finish, even for drivers licensed elsewhere, which means they can end up here and wait for their next job.

"We are taking the opportunity to question these drivers, advise them and take positive action where appropriate.

"Where there are concerns, information is collected during our patrols so that we can report any issues directly to their licensing authority."

Patrols are expected to last until October and council leader Ashley Baxter has been lobbying the government about the issue.

A driver workshop will be held in autumn to discuss concerns and for the council to provide guidance.

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