TAXI drivers have responded with dismay to a North East Lincolnshire proposal to allow an unlimited number of Hackney Carriages to operate in the borough.
At a meeting today, councillors will be recommended to remove the existing limit - currently 220 - on Hackney Carriage numbers.
In a representation to the authority, Wayne Crouch and John Broadbent of the NEL Hackney Carriage Association state: "There are too many taxis already - the existing limit should be kept in place.
"The borough is already overprovided - there is no need to allow the numbers to increase in an uncontrolled way."
The statement continues "The job of being a Hackney Carriage driver in North East Lincolnshire is not the bonanza that many think.
"The sector is under increasing pressure from rising costs.
"Knowing that the proportion of work (income) available to each driver will reduce as numbers rise will militate against investment in higher quality vehicles.
"Mobile phones, ride-hailing apps and Private Hire customer apps have all impacted the fares available to the Hackney Fleet.
"The practice of hailing a taxi in the street - an important revenue source - has completely disappeared.
"Then there is the spectre of Uber operating in our area, adding uncertainty and further pressure on incomes."
The statement goes on: "Knowing that the proportion of work (income) available to each driver will reduce as numbers rise will militate against investment in higher quality vehicles.
"It can be very difficult to find a place to wait on the allocated rank spaces as things stand.
"More taxis will only exacerbate the problem and lead to road congestion, increased air pollution, possible conflict with other road users and unpleasant interaction with traffic wardens, police and council officials; none of which is in anybody’s interest.
"The borough is overprovided with taxis and there is no need to allow the numbers to increase in an uncontrolled way. "
Members of NELC's public protection committee are due to discuss Hackney Carriage provision at a meeting this evening in Grimsby Town Hall.
* Photo: Petar Milosevic via Wikimedia Commons
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