Taxi drivers in Guildford are preparing to strike.

Mark Rostron, secretary of the Guildford Hackney Association (GHA), said the committee has been in dialogue with Guildford Borough Council about its concerns over the past year.

However the group feels the council has not carried out its promises.

Drivers therefore agreed to take strike and protest action ‘without further notice’.

The GHA wants the council to address illegal touting and soliciting, provide additional taxi rank space and "stop overcharging for taxi licences".

“Over the last nine months we have held meetings with representatives of GHA to identify priority issues they would like to see addressed,” said Councillor Paul Spooner, responsible for licensing and governance.

“We then took action to resolve these.

“In making changes, we need to take into account the views of passengers and the general public as well as GHA, drivers who are not members of the association, private hire drivers and operators.”

Cllr Spooner says the council established a Taxi Advisory Group, completed a mystery shopper survey on touting and illegal hire, has taken action to address the concern over alleged illegal touting, completed repairs to and widening of the taxi rank in North Street and published a regular newsletter which provides updates for all taxi and private hire drivers and operators.

“In respect of additional taxi rank spaces, a great deal of work has been completed and possible additional spaces identified,” he said.

“The implementation timetable is not entirely within our control.

“We hope that additional spaces will be available during 2015.”

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/taxi-drivers-strike-over-dispute-7923454