Maidenhead & Windsor

Consultation is now underway on a range of options to improve the taxi service provided by Hackney carriages in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

Members of the Windsor and Maidenhead borough's licensing panel agreed earlier in the year to carry out widespread consultation on a number of taxi licensing proposals – including changing the present system in which taxis operate in one of three different zones to allow taxis to operate anywhere in the borough, and lifting the restriction on the total number of licences currently issued (87).

The formal consultation began last week, with questionnaires circulated to everyone involved in the Hackney carriage business, and interested groups including the Access Forum, town managers, chambers of commerce, the police, pubs and clubs across the borough as well as taxi users.

A total of 20 questions cover every aspect of taxi use in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough, including:

* should taxis continue to be restricted to specific zones within the borough, preventing them from picking up anywhere other than their specified zone (either Windsor, Maidenhead or the third area which includes Ascot)
* should the council increase the overall number of taxis
* should there be a limit on the total number of taxis
* should all vehicles registered as taxis be new?

Other issues covered in the questionnaire include accessibility for disabled people, the benefits of dual-fuel, the ease of hailing a taxi, pick-up points, waiting times and additional taxi ranks.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead community safety and chairman of the licensing panel, said: "We are determined to ask as many people as possible their views on these options to enable us to make the best decisions for both taxi operators and users alike.

"One of the main features under discussion is the option do away with the present zones which restrict taxi drivers from picking up a fare from anywhere in the borough. If these proposals are adopted there could be more taxis available in the town centres late at night, which would be of benefit to both drivers and passengers.

"We now need the views of as many people as possible to help us decide the best way forward for the taxi service in the Royal Borough. So please do take the time to take part in the consultation and tell us what you think."

Copies of the questionnaire can be obtained by calling 01628 685849. The closing date for the return of questionnaires is Tuesday April 1. Forms should be returned to: Ian Hunt, Democratic Services, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1RF.

For further information about the consultation call 01628 685849.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead