
St Helens Council's cabinet is considering a report today, September 2, to approve changes to town centre hackney carriage ranks as part of ongoing regeneration work.
The adjustments to taxi stands and the local road network are designed to accommodate traffic and pedestrian flow while ensuring that licensed cabs maintain proper access to key trading areas. The report explains that hackney carriages possess the unique ability to rank up and wait for passengers, making strategic stand locations essential.
While these interim arrangements begin this month, permanent solutions are expected to be introduced by the summer of 2028.
Under the proposals, several existing taxi stands on Church Street, Bridge Street, and Exchange Street will be removed and replaced with new locations across the town centre.
New 24-hour stands are planned for sections of Bridge Street, Hall Street, Shaw Street, Claughton Street, and Ormskirk Street, alongside evening-only stands on Baldwin Street, Cotham Street, North John Street, Westfield Street, Waterloo Street, and another section of Bridge Street.
Councillor Sharon Roughley, deputy council leader and cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "The recommendations being considered by Cabinet are intended to ensure that taxi rank provision continues to meet the needs of residents, visitors and the licensed trade, while supporting ongoing improvements to our town centres and public spaces."
Subject to cabinet approval, work on the new rank arrangements is scheduled to start this month.

Under the proposed Taxi and Private Hire Policy for 2026-2031, officials want to scrap acquired rights - commonly known as grandfather rights - for vehicles licensed before July 2022 to modernise the city's ageing fleet.

Jonathan Mitchell, 25, targeted the cabbie after changing destinations multiple times in South Shields, prompting the driver to radio his control room for police assistance.

The private hire driver was caught operating a silver Renault Master that carried the children - including a wheelchair user - and a passenger assistant to a school in Chorley.

The meeting covered concerns about the knowledge test and the promised Licensing Panel safeguard after three failed attempts - including an experienced driver who has been unable to work while his renewal remains unresol

The key objective of Glasgow Taxis’ trained and PVG-checked marshals is to help the public access a taxi safely and as quickly as possible at designated ranks, particularly at the conclusion of highly attended events.

Ipswich BC's Executive is being asked to approve a public consultation at a meeting on September 8. If no objections are raised, the revised tariffs could come into effect on October 13.

The company, which launched in Nigeria in 2014 and Uganda two years later, described the move as a difficult decision.

The taxi trade in Stirling as well as members of the public are to be consulted over proposals to increase taxi fares by 11.7 per cent and to introduce new tariffs to cover the festive period.

Warwick DC's cabinet is set to decide on 9 September, whether to approve the rise for the area's 127 hackneys, which would mark the first adjustment to the maximum permitted charges in two years.

Mohammad Anwar had his renewal application rejected by Glasgow City Council's licensing committee following a formal objection raised by Police Scotland.

Mark Johnson, owner of Lincs Coast Taxis, met Sarah after picking up the family - she explained her son Oliver had been treated that day for a brain tumour, the driver was deeply moved.

Tom Hayes MP recently hosted a meeting with taxi and private hire drivers at St Saviour's Church to hear about the reforms they would recommend as the Government brings forward a draft law.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 2 September, at around 5.40pm as the victim was walking towards the city centre. 

Cardiff-based private hire technology firm Veezu has purchased Triple 20 Taxi Cars, adding around 270 self-employed drivers across Dudley and Sandwell to its growing regional network.

Users across the city can be matched with a driverless Ford Mustang Mach-E, though the chances are currently slim with only 15 vehicles licensed out of the capital's 100,000 Ubers.

Under the scheme, penalty points can be issued for minor infringements of licence conditions. The points issued will depend on the nature and seriousness of the breach and will remain on a driver’s record for three years

The comprehensive updates, which took effect on September 1, 2026, streamline the application process for drivers while modernising vehicle standards and passenger requirements across the county.

The licensing sub-committee greenlit the fare adjustment following a low-turnout public consultation where participants highlighted cost-of-living pressures.

The local authority held the urgent meeting to implement a temporary licensing change after iCars boss Neil McLennan was ordered to strip remembrance emblems from his fleet of taxis.

Somerset Council’s executive committee is expected to approve the new tariff structure today, 2 September, to help drivers cope with mounting fuel and insurance expenses.
