Rural areas thrown lifeline as council axes cap on taxis

The move is expected to create a surge in the number of taxis available across Richmondshire and will improve access to remote Dales market towns such as Hawes and Leyburn.

It is set to be a major boost for residents in remote communities after rural bus services were dramatically scaled back across North Yorkshire as the county council attempted to claw back £69m.

Coun John Blackie, leader of Richmondshire District Council, and member for Hawes and High Abbotside, said: “It will result in taxis being available in the more rural areas of Richmondshire for the first time ever, to the distinct benefit of enterprising local individuals keen to start a service, and their local communities and economies.

“I expect that new taxi services will appear in at least Leyburn, Middleham and Hawes, and the district council will respond positively to providing ranks if they do.”

The number of plates in the district is currently restricted to just 65 – with only 61 of those in use. Taxis are not available for hire far beyond the areas of Richmond and Catterick Garrison, leaving those in the remainder of the district without a vital taxi service.

Members of Richmondshire district council’s licensing committee have approved the deregulation of the taxi plates from next April.

Committee chairman, Coun Jill McMullon, said: “Government best practice for some time has been to deregulate the issue of taxi plates and the committee has now agreed to step in line with this advice. The limit has created an artificial capital market with plates privately changing hands for several thousand pounds, at the expense of enhancing the service provided to residents and visitors in the district. The annual fee charged by the district council for a taxi plate is £275.

“Deregulation will allow opportunities for small businesses to be created at this difficult time for employment, as well as improving taxi services for travelling members of the public.”

A community bus service was recently set up in Hawes in a bid tackle the county-wide transport cuts.