A SALISBURY taxi company owner is “very much against” Wiltshire Council’s proposed licensing changes.

On May 6 Wiltshire Council began seeking feedback on proposed changes to hackney carriage licensing zones.

Part of the change would allow taxi drivers to accept fares from any part of the authority area, yet a longstanding taxi company owner thinks “it won’t be beneficial to drivers” to work cross borders.

Gary Taylor, owner of All The Sevens, is concerned about how much knowledge of the county his drivers will be expected to know and the potential impact it could have on customers.

He said: “In my 17 years of taxi driving I’ve never known anyone want to go cross border, drivers work in an area they know and understand.

“It could cause customers to be overcharged as drivers wouldn’t know their way around the area.”

Wiltshire Council require two annual inspections for hackney carriages which are currently carried out in either Salisbury, Devizes, Trowbridge, or Chippenham.

Part of the proposal will centralise all vehicle inspections in Devizes which is a big concern for Gary and his drivers.

He said: “Everyone, like us, in the south would have to use three hours of their working day to take a 50-mile round trip, costing £10-15 in fuel, to do an inspection which is being done weekly in Salisbury.”

Salisbury Journal: Gary Taylor has been driving taxis for 17 years and is unsure of the plansGary Taylor has been driving taxis for 17 years and is unsure of the plans

Wiltshire Council say the proposals would be environmentally beneficial and reduce carbon emissions as there would be fewer passenger-less journeys.

Taking into account the biannual trip to Devizes, Gary is sceptical that the changes will be more eco-friendly.

He added: “Wiltshire Council need to track taxis to see if it actually would be environmentally beneficial.”

Cllr Mark McClelland, cabinet member for transport, said: “We are really pleased that taxi operators are engaging with this consultation and will be carefully considering all the responses and views expressed.”

All taxi drivers and anyone with an interest in the industry can take part in Wiltshire Council’s consultation and express their views before the closing date of 10 July by visiting the website.

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