A long-serving Blackpool taxi driver is urging the council to take stronger action against the influx of “out-of-area” Uber drivers who he says are taking local work and creating safety risks.
Local Drivers Losing Out
Neil Charnock, who has worked in Blackpool’s taxi trade for 23 years, claims drivers from Knowsley, Manchester, and Wolverhampton regularly descend on the town, particularly at weekends.
He says the practice is leaving Blackpool’s own drivers 30–40% down on their takings, describing the situation as “severely diluting their income.”
Charnock also raised concerns about passenger safety, arguing that these drivers are not subject to the same regulatory checks as those licensed by Blackpool Council.
“If these drivers cannot be regulated and checked in the same way as locals, you have a potential problem right there,” he said.
Council Admits Legal Limits
Blackpool Council has previously acknowledged that the problem lies in the outdated legal framework governing taxi and private hire licensing.
Cllr Paula Burdess, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, explained:
“There is nothing we can do to stop businesses coming to Blackpool if they are legally allowed to.”
She added that the council continues to look at ways to influence reforms.
Backing the National Campaign
Charnock is calling for Blackpool to support Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s Backing Our Taxis campaign, which seeks to close the legal loophole allowing out-of-area operations.
The campaign argues that councils and combined authorities should be given the power to licence and regulate all taxis and private hire vehicles operating in their areas — not just those registered locally.
A Regional Solution?
Although Blackpool is not part of a city-region, it now falls within the new Lancashire Combined County Authority. Charnock hopes this could give the town more influence in pushing for change.
He said:
“We just want the council to show some support for the drivers who have served this town year in and year out.”
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