As part of Epsom & Ewell’s commitment to tackling Climate Change and reducing pollution in the borough, the council aims to make changes to licensed private hire vehicles and hackney carriages which, if they go ahead, will lower emissions. The council proposes using a phased approach to ensure that licensed private hire vehicles and hackney carriages meet the same emission standards as the London Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). This consultation launched on 19 June and will run for 6 weeks, ending on 30 July.

To help licensees with the transition to lower emission vehicles, the council proposes removing the requirement that hackney carriages be purpose-built taxis. This should create a more varied fleet, which Epsom & Ewell Borough Council hope will make hackney carriages easier-to-use, and more comfortable, for wheelchair users. Most hackney carriages will continue to be wheelchair accessible, however it is proposed that a small number of zero emission hackney carriages will be permitted to operate despite not being wheelchair accessible, until wheelchair-accessible zero emission vehicles are more widely available.

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee, said “The council’s climate change action plan is of vital importance. Climate change is not a standalone single issue for the council or the borough - it runs through a broad range of activities and behaviours.

“Bringing emission standards for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in Epsom & Ewell in line with those set by the ULEZ in London is a small but important step to improve air quality and reduce in emissions in our borough, which will contribute towards making Epsom & Ewell a safer and greener place for people who live, work and visit here.”

This consultation is for licensed taxis and hackney carriages only, not private vehicles.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council wants to hear what the licensed trade, residents and local organisations think about the proposals. Details of the proposal, including the timescale for implementation, can be viewed via this link.

Hard copies of the draft policy can be viewed at libraries in the borough and in the Town Hall.

To give feedback on the proposed licensed vehicle emissions policy please email: licensing@epsom-ewell.gov.uk or write to the Licensing Team, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BY.

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Editors Notes

A hackney carriage is a taxi with a meter which is licensed to collect passengers from a taxi rank and is available to be hailed in the street.

More information about Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s Climate Change Action Plan can be found here: epsom-ewell.gov.uk/residents/climate-change

More information about London’s ULEZ can be found here: tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone

Press Office Contact: communications@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
01372 732000