Posted on the 8th December 2025 in PHTM News
CUT OFF THE UBER APP: COTSWOLD CABBIES DEMAND BAN OVER FEARS OF OUT OF AREA DRIVERS
Licensed drivers in the Cotswolds are demanding a local ban on the Uber app, claiming they are losing "thousands of pounds" due to competition from drivers licensed in distant areas, including Wolverhampton and Dudley.
Cabbies licensed by Cotswold District Council (CDC) raised their concerns at a council meeting last month, alleging that out-of-area Uber drivers are "plying for trade" in towns such as Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Robert Miller, acting as a spokesperson for the drivers, formally requested that the council "effectively geo fence the Cotswolds" by blocking the app.
“Uber does not have a CDC licence to operate in the Cotswolds,” Mr. Miller stated. “That means that cars that are coming into the area, and we have quite a number of them, are operating outside of the regulations.”
He claimed the northern Cotswolds were "overrun" by an estimated 10 to 15 private hire drivers from places such as South Gloucestershire, Swindon, and Wolverhampton during the summer.
Miller argued that this situation undermines the local licensing system. "Technology has overtaken the regulations, for fares, our work, that we pay the council a considerable amount of money to have the privilege to do," he said.
“If it isn’t important, why did Gloucestershire police run a sting operation in 2018 at Cheltenham races to catch out hawkers on the side of the road.”
Environment and regulatory services cabinet member, Andrew Pellegram, (LD, Chesterton) responded to the plea, expressing doubt over the council's ability to implement an outright ban.
“You want us to cut off the Uber app, I suspect we are not able to do that,” she told the meeting, adding: “I’m going to have to do some research on this.”
She confirmed the council will undertake a consultation and offered to meet with the taxi drivers to discuss their concerns and "see if there’s anything we can do.”
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