Have Your Say on the New Lichfield District Council Taxi Policy
The Mercedes VClass parked outside the Lichfield District Council offices.
Everyone has an opinion on taxis and private hire vehicles in Lichfield. Now is your chance to have your say and contribute to deciding what vehicles are allowed on the road and shape the rules for drivers.
Lichfield District Council has published a draft consultation document that will form the majority of the regulations in their new taxi policy. It was needed as the previous policy had been amended a few times and didn’t take into account Electric Vehicles and other developments.
Well, the big question “What has changed?’ Many things, but the main points are:
The extension of age of vehicles to 10 years, previously it was seven years maximum!
The favouring of Electric Vehicles (EVs) to promote the reduction of carbon emissions.
The first clampdown on ‘cross-border hiring’. About time!
A reconfigured penalty system with differing time bans rather than a points tally.
Now, we agree with the majority of the draft proposal, however there are details that we wouldn’t want to see implemented:
The submission of a spreadsheet of trips on the last day of every month.
The addition of a printed number in both the windscreen and the rear window. (This would bring the current requirements up to seven signs on a vehicle which is far too many).
Draconian control of dashcam and CCTV footage (All GDPR measures will be of course be observed).
If you would like to read the draft policy, you can find it here:
Draft Lichfield District Council Policy 2024.
And if you would like to comment on the policy, you can fill out a short questionnaire and add any additional information.
LDC Draft Taxi Policy Feedback Form.
The consultation period on the new taxi policy ends 5pm on 1 October 2024.