Earlier this year we were amalgamated into one council from three smaller councils (well 4 if you count the County Council)
Anyway since april there have been quite a few changes which include a new 3 year Dual Badge which covers Hackney and Private Hire, and the implementation of colour zones which cover the old Hackney zones of the previous councils.
Chester (Blue) Zone
The Chester Zone (denoted by a blue triangle on the Hackney Carriage Licence Plate) restrict the colour of Hackney Carriage vehicles to black and only allow models previously approved by the Council's Licensing Board to be used.
There is no limit to how many people may apply for a Hackney Carriage Driver's or Vehicle Licence, however Vehicle Licences may only be issued for a brand new vehicle. For Health & Saftey reasons and to ensure ease of access for customers with mobility diffculties, the Council will only Licence Hackney Carriage Vehicle Models that have been pre-approved by the Cheshire West and Chester Council Licensing Board.
Ellesmere Port (Red) Zone
The Ellesmere Port Zone (dentoted by a red triangle on the Hackney Carriage Licence Plate) do not restrict the colour of Hackney Carriage vehicles, but only allow certain models to be used.
There is a limit to how many people may apply for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence. For Health & Saftey and to ensure ease of access for customers with mobility diffculties, the Council will only Licence Hackney Carriage Vehicle Models that have been pre-approved by the Cheshire West and Chester Council Licensing Board.
Vale Royal (Green) Zone
The Vale Royal Zone (denoted by a green triangle on the Hackney Carriage Licence Plate) restrict the colour of Hackney Carriage vehicles to black and in order to make these vehicles easily recognisable to the public, only allow certain models to be used.
There is no limit to how many people may apply for a Hackney Carriage Driver's or Vehicle Licence, however Vehicle Licences may only be issued for a brand new vehicle. For Health & Saftey and to ensure ease of access for customers with mobility diffculties, the Council will only Licence Hackney Carriage Vehicle Models that comply with the Vale Royal Area Wheelchair Accessibility Policy
On the Private hire side of things there is a new policy which covers all areas.
The implementation of these new rules has resulted in some winners and some losers from the previous 3 sets of rules and fees.
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/licensing/hackney__private_hire_licence.aspx