COUNCILLORS in Christchurch are being recommended to approve an increase to taxi fares across the borough.

A review of hackney carriage costs has been carried out ahead of Christchurch council’s licensing committee meeting on Monday, June 25 and recommends that fares are raised and brought in line with those in Bournemouth and Poole.

It follows a request by the Taxi Liaison Group in May that the three councils’ fare structures are brought into line.

Day rate fares in Bournemouth and Poole are the highest in Dorset with East Dorset rates the second most expensive.

The requested increase in Christchurch would see the cost of a one-mile journey rise from £4.45 to £4.60 while the cost of additional miles would be increased by 5p to £2.30.

A report produced ahead of the licensing committee meeting, says: “The proposed fares are in line with that already being charged in the conurbation and therefore the recommendation is to approve the request for an increase and to consolidate all tariff timings in line with the fares charged by Bournemouth and Poole councils.”

The increase would apply only to hackney carriage drivers although the fares are used by several private companies to work out charges for pre-booked and private hire journeys.

Rates in Christchurch were last increased in 2017 and councillors are being recommended to approve another rise this year.

Any rise in fares will be subject to a public consultation and will need to be reconsidered by members of the committee if any objections to the proposal are lodged.