Winchester News Online
Taxi drivers face major changes with updated policies
Taxi drivers in Winchester face major changes in the future with new updates to licensing policies.
Winchester City Council has updated their licensing policy with the aim of improving the safety and wellbeing of Winchester city and its residents.
This update will see changes around contactless payments and wheelchair accessible taxis but one change in particular has caused much concern among the city’s drivers.
As of 2023, all taxis must be of a white colour with permanent signs fixed to the vehicle’s doors and a sign that displays the word ‘Taxi’ and the Winchester City Council Logo fixed to the roof of the vehicle.

Many drivers believe these changes will cause more problemsas they fear the damage these permanently fixed signs will have on the taxi and the money it will then cost to fix the vehicle once it is sold or no longer used for taxi purposes.
A Winchester Hackney driver spoke to Winol : “The council and licensing team have no care for us Hackney drivers. We are expected to put fixed door signs on for the public. This is in addition to us having a roof sign. We are expected to pay £52 for these to be fitted. The cost to print is probably no more than £5. Southampton City Council gave these to their private hire drivers for free.
“The licensing team bring in new laws at the cost of drivers and then try to outsource these costing us even more.”
The draft policy for these updates has been approved and is ready to go before the cabinet soon.
Winchester News Online
Police hunt man who threw chair and threatened shoppers
A man threw a chair and threatened bystanders in the centre of Gosport on Friday.
Police say the man, who was behaving aggressively, threw the chair on the ground and shouted threats at nearby shoppers before running away. No one was injured.
It happened just before noon, outside a Greggs Bakery on the High Street.
Hampshire Police say the man was white, bald and in his late 40s. He was wearing a baseball cap and a grey hoodie.
Officers are asking anyone who saw the incident to contact them.
Winchester News Online
Police officers injured during anti-migration rally
Twelve people were arrested after 350 anti-migrant protestors clashed with police overnight in Gosport following reports of a small boat landing in the area.
A small number of officers needed medical treatment following the protests near Walpole car park.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Dodds said: “Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest, our position on this has been clear that we will investigate thoroughly and take robust action against anyone responsible.
“Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
Police had banned face coverings and had issued a dispersal order ahead of the protests across Gosport.
Those arrested were held on suspicion of assaulting officers or being drunk and disorderly.
The protest marks an increase in tensions within the UK after protests at Portsmouth, Taunton, Basingstoke and Glasgow in recent months.
Gosport Reform UK councilor Paul Carter told GB News: “If you think about this last night, no one really knew what was happening… I think a lot of people are really worried.”
Winchester News Online
Residents warned over closure of recycling centre
People in Romsey are being warned that the town’s recycling centre will be closing for a month for repairs.
The closure of Casbrook recycling centre will take place from 12 October to 12 November.
The council says that repairs are essential to keep the site safe, after heavy vehicles damaged the tarmac beneath waste containers.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are investing in essential improvements to preserve the surface of Casbrook HWRC (Bunny Lane) and ensure the facility continues to serve residents safely and effectively for many years to come.
“I thank residents for their patience during these works and confirm that capacity is available at nearby HWRCs to ensure residents that usually use Bunny Lane, can still dispose of their waste during this time.”
Locals have been advised to use alternative centres in Winchester and Eastleigh while the repairs take place.
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