ALMOST a third of Barnsley’s taxi drivers who responded to a consultation on plans to install free-of-charge CCTV cameras in their vehicles rejected the proposal, the Chronicle can reveal.

Barnsley Council’s licensing officers were successful in their bid to the government’s Transport Innovation Fund, paving the way for cameras to be fitted in order to boost safety for both drivers and passengers.

The fitting of a recording device would also encourage drivers to work more unsocial hours, such as nighttimes in town centres where taxi availability has recently been criticised, to offer protection to drivers who complained about intoxicated passengers’ behaviour.

More than 500 drivers were contacted about the scheme, but just 39 responses were received, according to a report.

Of those, 29 per cent declined the free camera, while almost half said they would not agree to pay for a camera’s maintenance costs if the move became mandatory.

“In April 2024 it was agreed by the committee that following the results for the taxi demand survey we would retain the current limit on the number of Hackney carriages to 67,” the report said.

“The final decision was to maintain the limit, take remedial actions and repeat the demand survey in 12 months.

“As part of the remedial actions, officers have been successful in securing funding via the Transport Innovation Fund to install CCTV in all of our Hackney carriage vehicles.

“The main aim of the CCTV is to increase both driver and passenger safety and encourage more drivers to work at unsociable times.

“It will also support them to not avoid the more difficult customers.

“Having received the funding confirmation from SYMCA, officers have consulted with all our Hackney carriage and private hire drivers and vehicle owners to assess their initial feelings towards the installation of CCTV in their vehicles.

“In total 531 drivers and vehicle owners were contacted and asked questions including if they were happy to have it installed for free and if they would agree to pay for maintenance.”

The Chronicle understands licensing bosses pocketed £173,500 from the SYMCA for the scheme but a ‘further consultation’ will now be carried out before a final decision is made.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) voiced concerns over the introduction of mandatory CCTV which has been implemented by other councils across the country.

“There is a vast difference between choosing to have CCTV fitted and being compelled to have it,” a spokesperson added.

“That difference is in the cost of installing and maintaining it - if drivers are to be compelled to have it, surely councils should pay for it?

“There are also all sorts of complicated issues to consider when introducing it as a mandatory requirement to do with data and privacy and who controls that data.

“They must recognise that drivers already face enough costs when it comes to licensing and running a cab.”