Posted on the 20th May 2026 in PHTM News

EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL BACKS PLANS FOR NEW TAXI RANKS TO PROVIDE LIFELINE FOR PASSENGERS

East Lothian Council has unanimously agreed to launch a public consultation on plans to install more taxi ranks in towns and housing areas across the county.

The decision by the council's Licensing Sub-Committee comes in response to a direct request from a local taxi operator calling for an increase in the number of official stances.

The initiative has drawn strong support from local officials who view the service as an essential part of the community.

At a committee meeting in Haddington, Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies championed the vital role that drivers play, stating: “I think we all forget that taxis are part of the public transport infrastructure."

She strongly criticised regular drivers who treat the ranks as standard parking spots, adding, “It’s not just another parking space. For people who have mobility issues taxis are a lifeline.”

However, the committee highlighted a major hurdle that neither the council nor the police can easily fix: the illegal use of taxi ranks by ordinary motorists. Licensing officers revealed that the council's parking attendants currently lack the legal powers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to people who park in taxi bays.

A police officer at the meeting confirmed that the force supports the creation of new ranks but warned that policing them comes down to "hours and manpower." He noted that certain locations, such as an existing rank outside a chemist in Tranent, are particularly "contentious" because motorists are often trying to access the pharmacy.

“It’s not great for police to be moving people on that don’t keep very well or have mobility issues,” he explained.

In addition to expanding the ranks, Provost John McMillan and committee chair Colin McGinn urged local drivers to form an official taxi operators association to give the trade a stronger, unified voice in the county.

Welcoming the upcoming community consultation, Provost McMillan emphasised that everyday motorists need to change their habits. “For many people who need it, a taxi is the only way they can get around, and drivers should respect these stances," he said.

"I think we should approve this for the next step of consultation.”


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