New Stroud District taxi policy could see age limits SCRAPPED for newly licensed wheelchair taxis

Image credit: LEVC

Stroud District Council are inviting people to give their views on proposed changes to its taxi and private hire vehicle emissions policy which will see age limits for newly licensed wheelchair accessible taxis scrapped.

The current licensing policy, adopted in 2017, is based purely on the age of vehicles. The proposed interim policy will replace it with an approach based on age the first time a vehicle is licensed, then Euro 6 compliance (which set the maximum limits for certain harmful gases and particulate matter a car is allowed to emit), to remain licensed.

An exemption from the age policy on first licensing is also proposed for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

The council’s long-term ambition is that all licensed vehicles will have zero emissions in line with its Carbon Neutral 2030 objective – to help the entire district become carbon neutral by the year 2030.

Cllr Chris Brine, Chair of Community Services and Licensing Committee, said: “Reviewing taxi and private hire licensing conditions to encourage an increase in low polluting vehicles is one of the key projects in our Council Plan.

“It is a significant step in our objective to protect and enhance our environment and lead the district to carbon neutrality in 2030.”

Cllr Beki Aldam, Vice Chair, added: “Members of the taxi trade were consulted with before the policy was drafted, and we now welcome feedback from members of the public.”