Wiltshire Council to review accessibility of taxi ranks

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley and Jessica MoriartyBBC News, West of England
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The review will look at issues surrounding accessibility, such as dropped kerbs and shelters

A review of taxi ranks to gauge their accessibility is set to go ahead.

Wiltshire Council will look at issues such as dropped kerbs and shelters at taxi ranks in towns across the county.

The move comes after recent government guidance placed a greater emphasis on accessible transport for disabled people.

Council compliance officer Tom Ince said that the review would also look into how to implement electric vehicle charging points.

He described the electrification of Wiltshire's taxi fleet as a "big challenge", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The new taxi and private hire vehicle licensing guidance states that disabled people "are particularly reliant" on taxis.

It continues: "This can mean that the availability of an accessible, affordable taxi or private hire vehicle service can make the difference that allows them to live their life the way they want to, and ultimately, to fulfil their potential."

Councillors were told about the plan in a licensing committee meeting on 4 March.

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