Proposed changes could improve taxi safety and help tackle the climate emergency – have your say!

Members of the public and those involved in the taxi trade are being asked to comment on some potential changes to the joint taxi licensing policy for South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council are responsible for licensing private hire (minicab) vehicles, drivers, and operators and hackney carriage (taxi) vehicles and drivers in their respective districts. They want to know what people think of a new draft taxi licensing policy which sets out how they propose to regulate taxis and private hire vehicles.

The new draft policy aims to promote the highest possible standards to keep the public safe. It includes measures to make taxis safer, changes to help tackle the climate emergency – a key priority for both councils, and further alterations which take new licensing legislation and guidance into account.

Cllr Helen Pighills, Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “When you get into a taxi you want that assurance that both the vehicle and the driver will be safe. We are proposing a number of changes to our taxi licensing policy which prioritises the safety of the public and would mean improved controls over both the vehicles and drivers operating across our districts.  We would be very interested to hear what people think of these changes.”

Cllr David Rouane, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Both district councils have prioritised doing all we can to tackle the climate emergency.  Even relatively small measures, such as ensuring the suitability of licensed vehicles to help reduce emissions, can still make a noticeable difference and help to improve air quality around the taxi ranks.  Whether you are a taxi user, driver or operator, it is important we hear from you before we approve the new policy, so please visit our online consultation and have your say.”

To find out more, and to have your say please visit southoxon.gov.uk/taxipolicyconsultation or whitehorsedc.gov.uk/taxipolicyconsultation

The consultation will run for six weeks from 10 February and the deadline for completing the survey is midnight on Wednesday 24 March 2021.

Anyone who does not have access to the internet or who requires the documents in an alternative format (for example large print, Braille, audio, email, Easy Read and alternative languages), should call 01235 422425 or email haveyoursay@southandvale.gov.uk.