On 20 October 2026 Wigan Today published a contributor report by Abdulmalik Samuel on hackney carriage ranks in Wigan town centre. Local drivers have complained that they are being moved off ranks and warned for over-parking, and that Uber and Vezoo drivers do not appear to receive the same warnings. The report does not name the driver, the rank or the weekends. In the same piece, the council confirms warnings to a small number of drivers.
What the drivers want
A spokesman for the drivers said: "Hackney carriage drivers are not asking to be above the rules. We are asking for fairness, consistency and a clear explanation of the regulations governing taxi ranks. If restrictions apply, drivers believe those restrictions should be enforced equally and transparently. Another major concern is the lack of available rank space for Hackney carriages in Wigan town centre. Local drivers have requested that the council open additional designated Hackney carriage ranks to accommodate local vehicles and improve the availability of services for passengers. But their requests have so far not resulted in additional space being provided."
Drivers also argue that moving local hackneys off ranks, without another place to wait, could leave fewer cabs at night, including for women travelling alone and older passengers, and could push more work towards private hire vehicles licensed outside Wigan. They want the council to review enforcement, set the rules out clearly, look at the difference in treatment, and meet local representatives.
The council's reply
A Wigan Council spokesperson said: "Wigan Council officers regularly meet with local hackney carriage trade drivers to discuss local concerns and any issues they may have, and a meeting has taken place this week. Hackney carriage drivers have been advised on numerous occasions about the use of taxi ranks, including over-ranking, unsafe practices, and breaches of Wigan Council byelaws. Despite this, a small number of drivers continue to ignore advice, and unfortunately, with this minority, we have had no other option than to issue warnings. Taxi marshals are present across a number of taxi ranks within Wigan town centre to ensure private cars are not parking there. Whilst this has provided an additional provision and enabled drivers to use the ranks again, some have failed to do so. We agree that the people of Wigan borough deserve a safe, reliable and readily available taxi service, and will continue to support our trade in providing this service. To be able to provide that service to residents and visitors, drivers must ensure they are compliant with their licence, which includes abiding by local byelaws, conditions, legislations, and the highway code."
The reply does not mention Uber or Vezoo, and it does not deal with the request for more ranks.
Ranks and byelaws
The hackney carriage byelaws were made by Wigan Borough Council on 23 June 1977 and came into operation on 26 August 1977. Byelaw 8 says a driver who is plying for hire, and is not hired, must go with reasonable speed to a stand fixed by the council. If that stand already has the full number of carriages allowed on it, the driver must go to another stand. On a stand with room, the carriage is stationed immediately behind the one in front, facing the same way, and moves forward when the carriage ahead moves off.
The council's taxi rank locations page, last reviewed on 17 November 2025, says the designated ranks are for hackney carriage drivers and vehicles licensed by Wigan Council only. Each stretch has a vehicle limit and set hours. Town centre entries include Bishopgate, Dorning Street, King Street, King Street West, Library Street, Mesnes Street, Standishgate, Wallgate and Wigan Lane. King Street West has room for 12 vehicles on the south-west side and 8 on the north-east side, both from midnight to 6am. Standishgate has two ranks of 6 vehicles, available at any time. Mesnes Street allows 5 at any time. Library Street, where the town hall stands, allows 5 vehicles from 6pm to 8am, except for mayoral and wedding vehicles. Wigan North Western station is listed separately, for 9 vehicles at any time, and only for drivers who also hold a permit from the station. The same page also lists ranks elsewhere in the borough, including Gerard Street, Chapel Street and Anjou Boulevard. It does not show a new rank added for this request, and it does not mention the warnings.