North Northamptonshire Council approves single taxi zone despite driver concerns

North Northamptonshire Council has greenlit the amalgamation of its four existing taxi zones into a single, unified zone despite driver concerns.

The move, effective from 1 April 2025, will dissolve the separate zones of Corby, Wellingborough, Kettering, and East Northamptonshire.

The decision follows a consultation period that spanned from late 2023 to early 2024. During this period, local hackney carriage drivers voiced strong opposition to the proposed change, arguing that an enlarged zone would be impractical for drivers due to the increased difficulty in learning all the streets. Of the consultation responses, 54 were in favour of the single zone, while 143 opposed it.

At the North Northamptonshire Council’s executive meeting, David Brackenbury, the executive member for growth and regeneration, acknowledged the trade's concerns and the unique position of Corby as a traditional ‘black-cab town’. However, he clarified that the knowledge test was not part of the current discussion and would be addressed in a future meeting.

According to the BBC, veteran Corby taxi driver Neil Reilly highlighted the aging demographic of drivers and the financial barriers to badge renewal and knowledge testing, which he believes deter new applicants.

Ian Robb, another local taxi driver, expressed frustration at the meeting, feeling that the drivers' concerns had been disregarded and pointing out the clear lack of support for de-zoning evidenced in the consultation.