Call to shut taxi loophole

COUNCILLORS are urging the Government to close a loophole allowing cross-border taxi hiring in an effort to protect children.

Current legislation means taxi drivers from other council areas can operate in Cheshire East.

But councillors fear this can to a risk of child exploitation, trafficking and drug dealing.

At Cheshire East Council’s cabinet meeting it was agreed that Coun Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, will write to transport secretary Chris Grayling on the matter.

In his letter, Coun Arnold will ask the Government to close the loopholes and ‘potential for abuse left open as a result of cross-border hiring’, while he will also ask the borough’s MPs to support the move.

He said: “The current legislation relating to taxi licensing was written in 1847 and 1976.

“There are therefore various matters and situations that currently arise in today’s world that were not envisaged when the legislation was written.”

A report issued ahead of the cabinet meeting said there was no evidence to suggest the risk exists in east Cheshire, but the taxi trade in itself is a risk.

The cabinet’s latest decision follows a motion tabled by Coun Dorothy Flude, Labour member for Crewe South, at February’s full council meeting.

She called for all east Cheshire MPs to resubmit a bill on the matter in the House of Commons.