
A petition urging Slough Borough Council to postpone the upcoming diesel vehicle cut-off date for taxis has rapidly collected over 600 signatures, highlighting drivers' concerns over the cost of vehicle upgrades.
The council, which received a £370,035 Air Quality Grant in 2021 to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, implemented a new vehicle age policy in 2023 to combat roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations, of which around 10 per cent is attributed to taxis.
The petition, launched on November 27, argues that Slough’s cut-off is “stricter and more costly” than neighbouring authorities, adding that drivers and operators will be asked to “bear high costs” to upgrade their vehicles.
It calls for a “robust consultation” before any ban on older vehicles is implemented.
Under the current policy, licensed diesel vehicles can have their licence renewed until the vehicle reaches nine years old.
A council spokesperson clarified the January 2026 rule change to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDR): “Any currently licensed diesel vehicle will have its licence renewed until the vehicle reaches nine years old, as per the current published policy.”
They added: “From 1 January 2026, the only difference will be that any new [grant] applications to license a vehicle will need to be an alternative fuel to diesel.” The initiative still allows petrol, hybrid, or electric vehicles.
The council had already moved the 'alternative to diesel' deadline from January this year to January 2026 to give drivers more time.
Furthermore, the authority confirmed that a public consultation did not take place, but a review was carried out this November, with results set to be shared with industry representatives at an upcoming "round table" discussion.
The change is intended to reduce "the most significant" forms of pollution and help Slough meet net-zero targets.
The council also confirmed that the rules will tighten further in January 2027, requiring taxi drivers to replace nine-year-old vehicles with a full hybrid or electric model.

The charity highlighted that 9,410 people in Coventry currently live with sight loss, a figure predicted to rise to 10,800 by 2032.

Motoring campaigners and taxi drivers have fiercely criticised the steady fee increases, arguing that passengers will ultimately be forced to "shoulder the costs."

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

London EV Company (LEVC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, backing the city-region's £8m Hackney Support Fund.

The Government has issued a statement detailing its plans to overhaul taxi licensing under The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, specifically aiming to tackle the controversial issue of 'out-of-area' wor

New research analysing Reddit travel discussions has named Turkey as the country where tourists most frequently report falling victim to taxi scams.

Larisa Sumovskaja, 18, and Jasmine Orchard, 21, took a taxi home after a night out, but left the vehicle without paying the £38 fare. 

The unnamed driver's licence is suspended for three months, though she may return sooner if she completes training.

Glasgow taxi drivers could soon be required to accept card payments after the city's licensing committee officially agreed to hold a public consultation on the issue.

The move is being driven by "significant increases in the cost of vehicles and maintenance, fuel and the cost of living," according to a Shetland Islands Council (SIC) report.

The motion, spearheaded by Labour councillor Mohammed Jamil, requires the city council to write to the Secretary of State for Transport and two local MPs, urging their support.

Footage captured the vehicle entirely "enveloped in flames" as firefighters arrived on the scene to tackle the intense blaze.

The claimants, Miss O Akinleye and Mr A Olumade, pursued an employment tribunal against BDBC alleging sex discrimination, race discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.

Several members of the Wakefield taxi & private hire trade were at the meeting and one was so angry and concerned at what was said by this licensing officer that he has lodged the complaint.


Wolverhampton has revealed 17 reports of alleged sexual assault or rape against its licensed drivers within a three-month period.

Jordan Roberts, 27, of Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on November 25, where he pleaded guilty to robbery.

The Taxi Centre has stepped up to support Glasgow’s taxi trade and a local charity, raising a further £2,600 for a cancer charity, bringing the total raised for the charity this year to £4,300.

Malik Paracha’s licence was taken away in March 2025 when Buckinghamshire Council officers became aware that he had committed ‘multiple motoring offences’.

Under the new rules, taxi use for medical travel will be restricted to "exceptional" cases such as physical disability, pregnancy or serious illness - and these will require government approval.
