The MP for Weston-super-Mare, Daniel Aldridge, has raised serious concerns about taxis licensed far from the town operating locally, calling for tighter licensing regulations. Aldridge warns that North Somerset Council currently has “no power” to regulate or oversee taxis licensed by distant authorities, creating significant safety and fairness issues.
North Somerset Council maintains stringent licensing requirements for taxi drivers, issuing just 445 driver licenses as of April 2024. In stark contrast, Wolverhampton Council granted over 8,500 licenses in the first five months of 2024 alone, many of whose drivers are now operating in Weston-super-Mare despite the considerable distance—over 100 miles—between the two areas.
“This loophole poses a clear danger,” Aldridge stated. “Drivers licensed hundreds of miles away are operating here without local oversight. Our licensing officers have no power to inspect or address problems with these vehicles or drivers.”
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He continued: “This is not just a local problem—it’s a national one. That’s why I’m coordinating with MPs across the country to push for change. We need a level playing field that supports local drivers, safeguards passengers, and rebuilds public trust in taxi services.”
Councillor James Clayton, Executive Member for Safety in the Community at North Somerset Council, echoed these concerns: “Local licensing is ineffective when operators can circumvent our rigorous knowledge tests and vehicle standards by registering elsewhere. This undermines our local economy and compromises the safety of Weston residents.”
This ongoing issue has previously strained relations between North Somerset and Wolverhampton councils. Last November, North Somerset Councillor Mike Solomon noted an increase in complaints that individuals unable to pass North Somerset’s stringent tests could easily obtain licenses through Wolverhampton, where test answers have even been reportedly posted online.
Wolverhampton Council leader Stephen Simkins defended their licensing practices during a BBC Radio WM interview, calling it “wrong or naughty” to suggest their standards were lower. The council also stated there was “no evidence” that drivers who had licenses revoked in North Somerset had reapplied in Wolverhampton.
Aldridge and Clayton have requested an urgent meeting with local taxi operators and the council’s licensing team to develop solutions. They are urging the Department for Transport to implement reforms granting stronger local enforcement powers, ensuring consistent safeguarding standards for all drivers, protecting local license holders who adhere to regulations, and restoring public confidence in local taxi services.