Major St Helens Taxi Rank Reshuffle to Go Before Council Cabinet

Major changes to hackney carriage ranks across St Helens town centre are set to be considered by councillors as the borough’s regeneration programme continues.

St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to consider proposals to relocate a number of existing taxi ranks and establish replacement stands when it meets on Wednesday, 2 September.

The proposals would remove the existing hackney carriage ranks on the north and south sections of Church Street, along with ranks on Bridge Street and Exchange Street.

A replacement network of 24-hour and evening-only ranks would then operate across the town centre.

Under the plans, 24-hour taxi ranks would be provided on the north section of Bridge Street, Hall Street adjacent to Masonic Hall, Shaw Street near Millennium Pharmacy and Claughton Street at the corner of College Street.

Two further 24-hour ranks are proposed on Ormskirk Street, close to Iceland and NatWest.

The council also proposes a network of evening taxi ranks covering Baldwin Street, Cotham Street, North John Street, Westfield Street, Waterloo Street and Bridge Street near The Nelson.

The changes are linked to the wider redevelopment of St Helens town centre and preparations for the new St Helens Transport Interchange.

Highways enabling works are already taking place around Hall Street, including work connected with a new drainage system that will serve the transport interchange and the first phase of the wider regeneration scheme.

The council says it has engaged with the local hackney carriage trade during 2026 and that suggestions from drivers have been incorporated into the proposals now being considered.

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The proposed reshuffle follows temporary changes that have already affected taxi provision during the town-centre redevelopment.

In 2024, ranks were moved as construction work began, including the introduction of temporary provision on Church Street.

The latest proposals would effectively move some of that provision again as the permanent town-centre layout develops.

The council has a responsibility to keep taxi-rank provision under review as passenger demand, development and travel patterns change.

For hackney carriage drivers, the location of ranks can have a significant effect on access to passengers, particularly during evenings and weekends when demand is concentrated around hospitality and entertainment areas.

Unlike private hire vehicles, licensed hackney carriages can wait at designated taxi ranks and accept passengers without a pre-booking.

The distribution of ranks therefore forms an important part of the infrastructure supporting the local taxi trade.

Councillor Sharon Roughley, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said the recommendations are intended to ensure taxi-rank provision continues to meet the needs of residents, visitors and the licensed trade while supporting improvements to the town centre.

The related town-centre Traffic Regulation Order consultation closed on Friday, 28 August.

The council says that where no representations are received, a Traffic Regulation Order can proceed as advertised following completion of the legal process. Any objections or comments received must be reviewed and could result in proposals being amended or withdrawn.

The Cabinet discussion on Wednesday will therefore be an important next stage for St Helens taxi drivers as the authority determines how hackney carriage provision should fit into the regenerated town centre.

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