Wigan Hackney carriage drivers raise concerns over council enforcement at town centre ranks

Wigan town centre Hackney carriage drivers have expressed growing frustration over the actions of the council’s taxi licensing team.

They say they are increasingly being moved away from taxi ranks and their drivers issued warnings for alleged over-parking, leaving drivers feeling targeted and making it more difficult for them to earn a living.

Local Hackney carriage drivers are particularly concerned about what they see as a difference in the treatment of their cabs and private hire vehicles licensed outside the borough.

They claim that Uber and Vezoo drivers do not appear to receive similar warnings, raising questions as to whether enforcement rules are being applied fairly and consistently.

A recent incident has added to these concerns. On several weekends running, a local Hackney carriage driver was reportedly issued a warning over alleged over-parking at a taxi rank in Wigan town centre.

Local drivers want the council to explain why they feel they are being “singled out” while other drivers appear to face different treatment.

Wigan Council has confirmed that it has issued warnings to a small number of drivers who ignore advice about “unsafe practices” and byelaw breaches.

A spokesman for the drivers said: “Hackney carriage drivers are not asking to be above the rules.

“We are asking for fairness, consistency and a clear explanation of the regulations governing taxi ranks. If restrictions apply, drivers believe those restrictions should be enforced equally and transparently.

“Another major concern is the lack of available rank space for Hackney carriages in Wigan town centre.

“Local drivers have requested that the council open additional designated Hackney carriage ranks to accommodate local vehicles and improve the availability of services for passengers. But their requests have so far not resulted in additional space being provided.

“This has left many drivers questioning why the council appears to be moving local Hackney carriages away from existing ranks without offering a practical alternative.

“Drivers believe that providing additional designated rank space could help ease pressure at busy locations, reduce congestion and prevent unnecessary disputes.”

The spokesman said some drivers feel that the council’s approach is making it increasingly difficult for them to work. Rather than supporting the trade and finding practical solutions, they believe the current situation is leaving them with the impression that they are being pushed out of the town centre.

And the consequences may extend beyond the Hackney carriage trade.

He said: “Local Hackney carriage drivers provide an important service to residents, visitors and people who need to get home safely, particularly during busy evenings and late at night.

“If local Hackney carriages are repeatedly moved away from ranks or prevented from waiting in designated areas, there are concerns that fewer vehicles will be readily available when passengers need them.

“This could result in longer waiting times and greater reliance on private hire vehicles licensed outside the Wigan area.

“For many passengers, especially women travelling alone, older people and other vulnerable members of the public, finding a safe and reliable journey home is a serious concern. A dependable local Hackney carriage service can provide reassurance to people who may otherwise feel vulnerable when travelling at night.

“Passengers arriving at a taxi rank simply want to find a vehicle and get home safely. Local Hackney carriage drivers believe the current situation risks creating unnecessary frustration, confusion and tension at ranks, when the priority should be ensuring an orderly and reliable service for the public.

“Wigan Council has a responsibility to enforce its regulations while also considering the effects of its decisions on local businesses, drivers and the wider community. Public safety and compliance with licensing rules are important, but so too are fair treatment, adequate taxi provision and constructive communication with the local Hackney carriage trade.”

He said the drivers were calling on Wigan Council to review its approach to rank enforcement, clarify the rules, investigate concerns about differences in treatment and engage with local driver representatives to find a workable solution.

They are also asking the council to reconsider their request for additional designated Hackney carriage ranks, rather than continuing to move drivers away from the spaces on which they depend to serve passengers.

He added: “The people of Wigan deserve a safe, reliable and readily available taxi service. Local Hackney carriage drivers deserve a fair opportunity to earn a living while complying with the rules.”

Wigan Council is being urged to listen to the concerns of local Hackney carriage drivers and passengers, provide clear answers and work with the local trade to ensure that fairness, public safety and the needs of the community remain at the heart of its decisions.

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “Wigan Council officers regularly meet with local hackney carriage trade drivers to discuss local concerns and any issues they may have, and a meeting has taken place this week.

“Hackney carriage drivers have been advised on numerous occasions about the use of taxi ranks, including over-ranking, unsafe practices, and breaches of Wigan Council byelaws.

“Despite this, a small number of drivers continue to ignore advice, and unfortunately, with this minority, we have had no other option than to issue warnings.

“Taxi marshals are present across a number of taxi ranks within Wigan town centre to ensure private cars are not parking there. Whilst this has provided an additional provision and enabled drivers to use the ranks again, some have failed to do so.

“We agree that the people of Wigan borough deserve a safe, reliable and readily available taxi service, and will continue to support our trade in providing this service.

“To be able to provide that service to residents and visitors, drivers must ensure they are compliant with their licence, which includes abiding by local byelaws, conditions, legislations, and the highway code.”