Taxi inspections questioned as Newquay operator raises concerns over peak demand timing and cross-border enforcement

A Newquay taxi operator has publicly questioned the timing of vehicle enforcement activity being carried out by Cornwall Council and police ahead of the annual Boardmasters festival, arguing that suspending licensed taxis immediately before the region’s busiest trading period risks harming local drivers and reducing transport capacity.

In a statement posted on social media, Coastal Taxis Newquay said it was “struggling to understand the timing of the enforcement activity” with Boardmasters only days away. The operator stressed that it was not opposing vehicle safety inspections, but questioned whether the checks could have been scheduled differently to avoid taking vehicles out of service during the peak summer event.

According to the operator, several local taxi drivers have recently been stopped for detailed vehicle inspections, with some vehicles subsequently removed from service. Coastal Taxis said one of its own drivers had their taxi licence plate suspended over what it described as a minor issue.

While the repair itself was said to be straightforward, the operator explained that the driver had been unable to secure a garage appointment until after the festival. As a result, the vehicle will remain off the road during what is widely regarded as the busiest trading week of the year for many Newquay taxi drivers, leading to a significant loss of earnings.

The comments also highlighted the regulatory standards already placed on licensed taxis. Coastal Taxis noted that licensed hackney carriages are already subject to more frequent and stringent testing than private vehicles, including two MOT tests each year and separate council vehicle inspections before a licence plate is issued. The company said vehicle safety has always been a fundamental part of the licensing process.

The operator argued that Boardmasters provides one of the few opportunities each year for local drivers to recover income following quieter trading periods. Removing licensed taxis from service immediately before the festival, it said, not only affects drivers’ livelihoods but could also reduce the number of licensed vehicles available to transport the large numbers of visitors expected to attend the event.

Another issue raised was the presence of large numbers of out-of-area private hire vehicles working in and around Newquay during the festival. Coastal Taxis said this raises questions over whether enforcement activity is being applied consistently across all transport providers operating during the event, although it did not provide specific examples of differing enforcement action.

Despite its criticism of the timing, the operator emphasised that it supports vehicle safety enforcement. “Nobody is arguing against vehicle safety or proper enforcement,” the statement said. “We all want safe vehicles on the road.” However, it argued that proportionality and common sense should also be considered where enforcement decisions have wider consequences for local businesses, drivers and passengers relying on taxi services during major events.

The operator concluded by calling on Cornwall Council to explain the reasoning behind conducting the inspections immediately before Boardmasters, particularly given what it described as the already rigorous licensing and testing requirements that local taxi drivers must meet.