Taxi drivers in the Cotswold District are urging local authorities to block the Uber app from operating in their area, citing fierce competition from drivers licensed hundreds of miles away. Licensed cabbies claim that Uber drivers with licenses from places like Wolverhampton, Swindon, Dudley, and South Gloucestershire are offering rides within the Cotswolds, including popular towns such as Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh.
At a recent Cotswold District Council (CDC) meeting on November 26, local taxi drivers voiced their frustrations, stressing that the presence of out-of-area drivers has led to significant financial losses. Robert Miller, speaking on behalf of the group, called for an immediate ban on Uber’s services within the district, emphasizing that Uber drivers operating locally do not hold CDC licenses.
“Uber does not have a CDC licence to operate in the Cotswolds,” Miller stated. “Many vehicles are coming into our area and working outside established regulations.” He underscored the importance of local licensing controls, stating that CDC regularly vets licensed drivers to ensure safety and standards—a process these out-of-area drivers supposedly bypass.
Miller detailed how, particularly over the summer, northern parts of the Cotswolds were swamped with Uber drivers licensed elsewhere, estimating between ten and fifteen from locations such as South Gloucestershire, Wolverhampton, Swindon, and Dudley. He expressed concern that technological advances have outpaced regulatory frameworks, resulting in unfair competition for local cabbies who pay licensing fees and abide by district rules.
Referencing past enforcement efforts, he recalled a 2018 Gloucestershire police sting targeting illegal street hawkers during the Cheltenham races, illustrating local authorities’ responsibility to maintain safe and legal transport services. To curb the issue, Miller proposed the council consider “geo-fencing” Uber’s operations — essentially blocking the app’s use within district boundaries to protect licensed local drivers.
In response, Council’s Environment and Regulatory Services Cabinet Member Andrew Pellegram acknowledged the complexity of the issue. “I suspect we are not able to simply cut off the Uber app,” Pellegram said, but promised to research legal options and meet with the taxi drivers to discuss their concerns in more detail.
Current regulations permit private hire drivers licensed anywhere in England and Wales to pick up and drop off passengers across the country, provided the trip is pre-booked and licenses for the driver, vehicle, and operator come from the same authority. Uber maintains that all its drivers are fully licensed by their respective councils and comply with industry standards.
An Uber spokesperson said, “Uber operates according to the high standards set across the industry and abides by the same regulations as all other private hire operators. We engage closely with councils across the country and are happy to discuss any issues.”
As the debate continues, the Cotswold District Council plans to consult with stakeholders to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of local taxi drivers while respecting the legal framework governing private hire services.