
Newquay taxi drivers have reacted with anger after joint spot checks by Cornwall Council licensing officers and Devon and Cornwall Police saw vehicles taken off the road just days before the Boardmasters Festival.
Local firms argue that the timing of the enforcement operation undermines their livelihoods during the most profitable period of the year, particularly as vehicles are already subjected to two annual MOTs and rigorous council inspections.
A spokesperson for Coastal Taxis Newquay questioned the proportionality of the checks, revealing that one of their drivers had his plate suspended over a minor issue that cannot be repaired until after the event due to garage backlogs.
They raised concerns over consistency, noting that "there appear to be large numbers of out-of-area private hire vehicles operating in and around Newquay" while local drivers are pulled off the road.
The spokesperson stressed that "common sense and proportionality should play a part" when decisions impact local businesses and thousands of festivalgoers needing transport.
However, local officials strongly defended the timing and necessity of the operation.
Newquay councillor and taxi driver Lyndon Harrison voiced no sympathy for affected drivers, stating that "these checks are carried out every year" and drivers must ensure their vehicles are fully compliant for public safety.
Deputy Mayor Sarah Thomson echoed these sentiments, welcoming the proactive enforcement and comparing it to festive breathalyser campaigns, adding that if a taxi requires professional garage attention, "maybe the fault is not that minor."

Under the proposal, which will now go to full council for final approval, the current ten-year age limit on licensed vehicles will be increased to 15 years exclusively for electric models.

The driver was parked on a nearby street waiting for his next booking after completing an Uber journey when an unknown man approached his car.

In meeting minutes detailing the refusal, the panel concluded that "on the balance of probabilities" the unnamed applicant was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

Almost 18,000 drivers have received payouts between £300 and £500 under a Goodwill Payment Scheme, which was introduced to support those whose livelihoods were disrupted.

Now part of Vertu Motors following its acquisition last summer, the business continues to provide servicing, parts and specialist support tailored to professional drivers who own and run LEVC Hackney carriages

The drivers accepted unbooked fares from undercover licensing officers - violating strict regulations that stipulate only hackneys licensed within Trafford can be hailed directly in the borough.

The unannounced inspections were carried out to ensure licensed cabs continue to meet strict safety and reliability standards for local passengers.

Despite clear signage prohibiting taxis, local cabbies continue to block the area near the Platform 4 entrance, creating severe congestion for pedestrians and other motorists, especially during evening hours.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28%, whilst tariff two will see a 10% rise.

Scot McCluskey, 37, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to assaulting the cabbie to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Liberty Mitchell, who had passed her driving test just three weeks prior to the December 2022 crash, was originally sentenced to six years and eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

An investigation has revealed a dramatic rise in complaints against cabbies across Oxfordshire, with local councils logging 714 reports over 2025/26 - a significant leap from 601 the previous year

Following separate hearings on July 7, 2026, councillors concluded that each case raised serious doubts about whether the individuals remained "fit and proper" to hold or be granted a licence

The committee heard that the 10 per cent boost was considered a "reasonable" adjustment to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses since maximum fares were last raised in October 2022.

The victim, a woman in her 80s, had already lost over £3,000 to a scammer impersonating her bank who later booked a cab to collect her card under the guise of destroying it.

Officers from Cheshire Police teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council to pull over 12 taxis and private hire vehicles for random checks.

Following representations from licensing officers, the driver, and his representative, the council concluded that he was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

James Thomas, 30, from Swansea, had been attending a Christmas party at the NEC in Birmingham on December 21 with his partner while a babysitter looked after their ten-month-old child.

For nearly 20 years, an armada of hackney carriages has operated under the informal banner of "Poppy Cabs," providing free transport for war veterans to the annual national Remembrance Day service.
