Posted on the 10th April 2026 in PHTM News

CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL URGED TO CRACK DOWN AS OUT OF TOWN DRIVERS EXPLODE IN LOCAL STREETS

Cheshire East Council is being pressured to tighten the reins on drivers licensed in other areas who are flooding local roads.

A new "Notice of Motion" warns that a legal loophole allows drivers licensed as far away as Wolverhampton, Stoke, and Sefton to work in the borough, often avoiding the strict rules and checks faced by local cabbies.

Crewe resident Vicky Shaw, who raised the alarm with councillors, described the situation as a major safety risk.

"The number of taxis operating here under licence plates from Wolverhampton, Stoke, Sefton and beyond has exploded over the last few years," she told Nub News.

She claimed these drivers are "often a law onto themselves," alleging they have been seen illegally picking up passengers on the street and parking near schools without plates.

"The safeguarding concern, particularly in respect to vulnerable adults and children... is of particular concern to me," she added.

Councillor Allen Gage is now leading the charge for the council to seize back control.

He said: "I have been drafting a Notice of Motion on this issue. A small but growing number of councils have used legislation to gain enforcement control over out of borough operators to protect their residents - Cheshire East needs to follow suit."

He argues that while the council can easily suspend a local driver’s licence if a problem arises, they currently have no such power over out-of-town operators which "makes a mockery of the system."

While the long-term goal is for the national government to close the loophole entirely, Cllr Gage is pushing the council to use every legal power available right now to regain as much enforcement control as it possibly can.

He noted that other councils have already started seeing results by taking a tougher stance and urged colleagues to support this motion.


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