Huddersfield taxi drivers protest price hike

May 7 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield taxi drivers protest price hike

HUNDREDS of taxi drivers blocked streets in Huddersfield town centre in a protest at licence fee hikes.

Hackney and private hire cabbies drove round Huddersfield Town Hall in a huge convoy yesterday afternoon.

The drivers were protesting against Kirklees Council plans to increase annual licence renewal by 62%.

They drove from Bradley Bar to Huddersfield Town Hall in a convoy of more than 100 cars. The cabbies drove slowly round the town hall, causing tailbacks for other motorists.

The drivers had intended to park on Ramsden Street and Corporation Street but were told to move on by police following angry exchanges.

After parking elsewhere in the town centre, the drivers returned on foot to hand petitions to Clr Christine Iredale, chairwoman of Kirklees Licensing Panel.

The cabbies are angry that the annual charge for driver licence renewal is due to increase by 62% from £37 to £60. Licences for Hackney carriage cars will rise from £106 to £135 a year and for private hire cabs from £125 to £135. Private hire company’s operating licences will rocket from £53 a year to £380.

Akmal Hussain, chairman of Kirklees Private Hire Association, was among the dozens of drivers who presented Clr Iredale with a petition against the closures outside the town hall.