A THOROUGH review of taxi ranks in the borough should be carried out, according to a local authority report.

Councillors are also considering lifting a limit on the number of Hackney cabs permitted to operate in St Helens.

There is currently a set level of 63 Hackney cabs - which has been in place for 30 years - and a report by the council's environmental and trading services is proposing this be reset at an appropriate level.

Sixteen Hackney cab and two private hire drivers, who responded to a questionnaire about the trade, expressed a number of concerns including there is a fall in demand for taxis as there are less people in the town centre due to poor investment and that the current ranks are not in the right places.

They also say they struggle to earn a decent wage, trade is affected by the decline in pubs and clubs, there is competition from out-of-town cars and some ranks are too small, only providing space for two cars.

They add the twice yearly compliance test is too hard.

The council's report states: "It is not possible to differentiate whether there genuinely is no unmet demand or whether the public have simply given up trying to locate a Hackney carriage, as all but two of the existing ranks are regularly not serviced or occupied."

At a Licensing and Environmental Protection Committee meeting due to take today, councillors were set to discuss the matter.

The report states: "From the responses received, although there are 17 ranks within the borough, it is clear that a thorough review of the ranks, their size, operational hours and positions, needs to be carried out.

"It is important not only for the licensed trade but also the general public that ranks are positioned in the most appropriate areas across the borough."

It adds: "The redevelopment and perceived lack of investment in the town centre is a common thread throughout the responses. It is apparent that footfall within the town centre is not as active as it was in the past which is affecting all trading areas that depend on town centre footfall."

The report, by Paul Sanderson, strategic director of environmental and trading services, recommends lifting the current level of 63 Hackney cabs, but deferring the decision until 2019/20, when it is anticipated that the redevelopment of the town centre will be at an advanced stage.

It recommends that the positioning of taxi ranks is considered as part of the town centre plan.