Taxi licensing upgrades proposed to improve safety

A new taxi licensing policy aimed at strengthening standards for passenger safety in Peterborough is set to go out to public consultation later this month.

At Thursday's meeting, members of Peterborough City Council's Licensing Committee approved plans for taxi users and operators to comment on a draft taxi and private hire policy which would introduce new measures to overhaul the trade.

The review comes as the authority's current licensing policy nears expiry and follows national recommendations for tighter regulation of the industry.

The proposals include updated vehicle testing requirements and additional safeguarding measures to protect children and other vulnerable passengers.

Under the proposals, all new and renewing private hire taxi operators would be subject to financial checks to ensure businesses are able to meet licensing requirements. Changes to vehicle testing arrangements are also being considered as part of the overhaul.

The draft policy also includes measures to support cleaner transport, including allowing zero-emission vehicles to remain licensed for up to 18 years to encourage greater uptake of environmentally friendly vehicles.

Christian Hogg, Peterborough's cabinet member for regulatory services and enforcement, said the updated policy would provide "a robust and up-to-date framework" for drivers, operators and passengers.

"With the current licensing policy set to expire soon, we are taking the right steps to get a new relevant policy agreed," he said.

Feedback from the consultation will be reviewed before a final version of the policy is brought back to councillors for approval.

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