Barnsley: CCTV grants pursued to tackle taxi shortage

CCTV would reassure taxi drivers and their customers, the council leader said

Grants for taxi operators to install CCTV are being considered to address a shortage of drivers in Barnsley town centre.

Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said a lack of taxis was putting people off visiting the town at weekends and evenings.

He said safety and security concerns were putting off drivers from working.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will be asked to provide funding for the grants, Sir Steve said.

"We are seeing a loss of income into the town because people fear they can't get a taxi home on a night," he explained.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he told a full council meeting the issue had to be tackled.

"One of the reasons is safety and security, particularly for drivers and particularly for those drivers who are not private hire but can pick up off the streets.

"We have seen taxi drivers operate during the day but not on an evening or at the weekend."

He said cameras in taxis would reassure both drivers and customers.

"I'll fight tooth and nail at the Combined Authority to make sure they agree and hopefully if they do, we can sit down then with the associations and look at how we maybe can expand that even further.

"Because one of the things clearly for any taxi driver these days, is being able to go to work knowing you will be safe."