On Wednesday I briefly met with former black cab taxi driver Dave Evans, who is leading a campaign on behalf of Salford’s taxi drivers (in particular the Hackney cab, aka black cab, drivers). Dave explained to me that Salford Council wish to remove the limit (de-limit) the number of Hackney cab licences, a subject I blogged about back in July. While the taxi drivers themselves are not opposed to the idea of allowing more black cabs on our roads, they wish for a structured or ‘managed growth’ of new taxi licences, rather than the free-for-all that the council proposes. Manchester City Council has had a managed growth policy since 1996 and they have far more Hackney cabs than Salford, but have increased their numbers in a steady and sustainable way.

Yet again, this Labour council has proved it does not listen to ordinary people – the consultation has been poor. A couple of hastily arranged meetings, that nobody knows about until it’s been and gone is not a consultation. The council had already decided what plan they would implement (the afore mentioned free-for-all) before beginning the consultation – and they rejected the taxi driver’s proposal of managed growth out of hand.

Perhaps what amazes me, is Labour leader Councillor Merry’s attitude towards the taxi drivers in his  Salford Advertiser Leaders Column this week. His downright dismissive attitude towards their needs, flies in the face of his statements in previous weeks that Salford Council is doing everything it can to help people through this tough economic climate. If Merry gets his way, the taxi trade will be reduced to many tired and disillusioned drivers racing around our city as fast as possible scrapping for one or two fares a day. A far cry  from the sustainable and professional service managed growth would offer.

Thursday afternoon saw around 100 taxi drivers protest across Salford in the form of a ‘go-slow’ and from the many beeping horns, claps and cheers I heard, many members of the public are in full support of the taxi drivers. The last thing we want is hundreds of black cabs racing around Salford trying to beat each other to a fare, or that last available space on the taxi rank. In my opinion, that is just asking for trouble.

The final decision will be made on Monday afternoon at a scrutiny panel, where the decision will be ‘called-in’ by the Liberal Democrats.