Plea for older taxis expected to fail

At present, private hire drivers can still renew their licences with Harrogate Council provided that their vehicles are no more than nine years old.

But now Ripon City Taxi Proprietors Association is calling an extension for saloon, hatchback and estate cars to stay in service for 10 years.

The Association says this will give the fleet an extra year’s life and also to allow a vehicle to be licensed as long as it is within the 10 years maximum age.

But council officials say maximum age limits have been set to ensure that the condition and appearance of licensed vehicles is maintained at a high standard.

Licensing manager Gareth Bentley said: “This has been a successful policy demonstrated by the standard of licensed vehicles in the Harrogate district.”

The response by the Taxi Liaison Group had also been mixed with concern about condition of older vehicles.

Councillors will consider the request on Thursday but research suggests that granting the extension would put Harrogate out of step with other local authorities.