Posted on the 1st October 2026 in PHTM News
HOCKLEY PRIVATE HIRE FIRM HIT WITH £1,600 IN SOUTHEND AIRPORT PARKING FINES
A south Essex private hire firm owner is warning that Southend Airport's parking system could break his business after accumulating £1,600 in fines.
Jamie Webb, who runs Hockley-based Eddies Cars, explained that his drivers have been repeatedly caught out by the airport's barrier-less drop-off zone. Because motorists have to remember to pay an £8 charge online after using the facility, the lack of an automatic payment system has led to missed payments and multiple £100 penalty notices.
Mr Webb described the situation as an "admin nightmare" for his local PH company, which relies heavily on airport transfers for customers catching early-morning flights before local trains begin running.
Comparing Southend to other airports such as Gatwick and Stansted, Mr Webb noted that they automatically deduct parking charges from prepaid online accounts. He believes Southend Airport should adopt a similar setup, or a scheme like the Dartford Crossing payment system, to support local private hire operators who make hundreds of journeys every year.
He also warned that congestion is rising because waiting space near the drop-off zone is limited, forcing drivers to park in surrounding residential streets while waiting for passengers.
Mr Webb stressed the financial strain of the penalties, stating: “We have been fined a total of £1,600 in the last year. It is going to break the company.” He added: “We are going to end up having to say we are not going to Southend Airport, and if we do that we will lose out on a lot of money.”
A spokesperson for Southend Airport defended the barrierless setup while acknowledging the difficulties faced by private hire firms.
The spokesman said: “The introduction of new car parking products at Southend Airport has gone well, with the vast majority of our customers finding the new barrierless systems easy and efficient to use.
"We do however accept that the changes in parking rules can create problems for some of our users, and indeed this issue has been raised at other forums to the airport. We have committed to investigating improvements to some of the issues raised by local taxi firms with our contracted operator Excel Parking Services.”
Read another story
- STRATFORD ON AVON DC LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED NEW TAXI LICENSING POLICY
The proposed framework, which would run from 2027 to 2032 to replace rules introduced in 2009, introduces major changes to vehicle age limits to give proprietors more flexibility while encouraging greener travel.
- DUMFRIES WHEELCHAIR USER HIT BY SEVERE SHORTAGE OF ACCESSIBLE TAXIS
Janice Johnstone, who relies on a wheelchair full-time, explained that spontaneous trips are impossible because she must book her transport days in advance.
- FAKE PH DRIVER JAILED FOR 20 YEARS AFTER KIDNAPPING AND RAPING WOMAN IN BRIGHTON
Ruckling Ramsay, 61, pretended to operate a private hire vehicle, he deceived the victim into getting into his car, highlighting the severe dangers associated with unbooked and bogus transport operators.
- GRAN CANARIA TAXIS FITTED WITH PANIC BUTTONS CONNECTED TO POLICE
The governing body of the island - the Gran Canaria Cabildo - is progressing with the system following a coordination meeting involving taxi cooperatives and local police forces across the island.
- POLICE INVESTIGATE DAYLIGHT AMBUSH AFTER GANG ATTACKS TAXI AND PASSENGER IN STOKE-ON-TRENT
The violent disorder erupted on Stoke Road in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, shortly before 2:50pm on Monday, September 28.
- MANCHESTER AIRPORT TRAFFIC CHAOS PROMPTS PH FIRM TO TELL CUSTOMERS 'USE LIVERPOOL INSTEAD'
Nolan's Airport Transport, which operates in Bury, warned travellers of severe congestion in the drop-off and pick-up zone, with drivers facing queues of up to 45 minutes just to enter the terminal.
- FALKIRK TAXI FARES TO RISE FOLLOWING FUEL COST INCREASES
Taxi fares in Falkirk are set to increase in November after Falkirk Council's executive gave final approval following public and trade consultations.
- PASSENGER THREATENED TO CUT PH DRIVER'S THROAT AND ROBBED HIM IN BRADFORD
Nikolas Balog, 31, targeted the driver after getting into the vehicle with two other men from Bradford city centre on August 7 last year.
- 100 MONTHS' JAIL FOR BRADFORD ROBBER WHO HELD AXE TO CABBIE'S FACE
Ismail Ahmed, of no fixed abode, committed two robberies and five attempted robberies on May 9 and May 11 while on licence for previous robbery offences.
- SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER TAXI LICENSING LAW CHANGES AFTER HIGHLAND COUNCIL RAPIST CONTROVERSY
The issue was raised during First Minister’s Questions on 22 September by Highlands and Islands MSP Morven-May MacCallum.
- EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT RAISES RAPID DROP OFF FEES FOR DRIVERS
The price for using the rapid drop-off area has increased from £5 for 15 minutes to £8 for 10 minutes, and came into effect on 29 September.
- MULTI AGENCY TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE COMPLIANCE OPERATION AT EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT
A major multi-agency compliance operation took place at East Midlands Airport with 19 councils, DVSA, DVLA, HMRC, Leics Police, Uber UK, East Midlands Airport and insurance fraud specialists.
- TAXIS IN GRAN CANARIA BEING FITTED WITH PANIC BUTTONS TO CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH POLICE
A new security system being developed in Gran Canaria will allow taxi panic buttons to connect directly with Local Police control rooms, giving officers live access to images and sound from inside vehicles during an emer
- ARE PEOPLE ‘CHATGPT-ING’ INSTEAD OF GOOGLING?
For years, “Google it” has been part of everyday language. But I increasingly wonder whether we are entering the age of “ChatGPT it”.
- UBER GRANTED CONTROVERSIAL FIFE LICENCE AFTER HUNDREDS OF OBJECTIONS THROWN OUT ON TECHNICALITY
Uber has successfully secured a 24/7 PH operating licence for a booking office at Rosyth Business Park after Fife Council’s Regulation and Licensing Committee approved the bid on 22 September.
- STOKE ON TRENT PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER FINED £500 FOR LITTERING FROM VEHICLE
The council subsequently published a photograph of the offending cab to highlight the penalty and warn other motorists against the practice.
- HARTLEPOOL COUNCIL KEEPS YELLOW TAXI COLOUR POLICY
Hartlepool Borough Council licensing chiefs have voted to keep the town's hackney carriages fully yellow following a public consultation earlier this summer.
- SOUTHAMPTON PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER LOSES LICENCE AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS
Councillors made the decision during a hearing held behind closed doors on September 16, concluding that the driver was no longer a fit and proper person to hold the driver's licence.
- NORTH EAST TEENAGER SPARED PRISON AFTER PUNCHING PH DRIVER AND STEALING TAKINGS
As the driver was adding details into the taxi app, 18-year-old Brandon Moloney opened the door and punched him in the cheek, "causing an immediate stinging sensation".
- DISGRACED NEWCASTLE PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER SPARED JAIL AFTER ONLINE GROOMING WITH SCHOOLBOY
David Richardson, 31, communicated with who he thought was a 14-year-old schoolboy, sending indecent images of himself and discussed picking the teenager up from school.
All content Copyright © 2026
Private Hire and Taxi Monthly Limited