Town Council to Fund Taxi Marshalls

Hertford Town Council's Finance Committee has voted to help fund the Taxi Marshalling scheme that operates in Hertford on Friday and Saturday nights after East Herts Community Safety Partnership was forced to withdraw its funding for the scheme.

The Taxi Marshalls cost around £22,000 per year to maintain and have been operating in the county town from Fore Street since 2005. The scheme currently receives half of its funding from Hertfordshire County Council and Hertford Town Council has agreed to invest in the region of £11,000 to support the scheme for a further year. East Herts Council is exploring the possibility of adding a 'late night levy' to licences to help fund the scheme for future years when new legislation is introduced in the autumn.

The scheme operates from 9pm to 3am every Friday and Saturday and plays a key role in providing a safe environment whilst reducing incidents of disorder in the town.

Commenting on the scheme Cllr Chantal Geall, Chairman of the Finance Committee said "Hertford Town Council recognises that this scheme provides vital support to the night time economy in Hertford, whilst helping to ensure that residents can get home safely."