The illegal “ranking” of Uber taxi drivers in Watford needs to be stamped out, according to two leading figures.

Watford Borough Councillor Matthew Turmaine urged the council to consider compensating existing taxi licence plate holders to balance the negative effect caused by the increasing number of Uber cabbies in Watford.

He highlighted instances of Uber drivers “ranking” – where they queue up in taxi ranks waiting for a fare. Under current rules, only licenced cabbies are allowed to do this.

“The truth is that people do want to use Uber - but they want to make sure that they are using cabs safely and supporting their local taxi trade,” he told the council.

“But ranking – behaving illegally – needs to be regulated. I have been sent picture after picture of alleged ranked Uber drivers.

“It is clearly not fair if drivers who play by the rules get policed properly, while those who do not can get away with it.”

After his motion to financially compensate non-Uber taxi drivers was criticised by Hertfordshire County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, who said the only way to curb Uber drivers was for central Government to legislate, Cllr Turmaine said more could be done at a local level.

“This motion is making a stand for fair play. It’s saying that we, as a council, want to ensure that everyone plays by the rules – and we’re prepared to make sure it happens effectively,” he added.

“Now, this is a problem that our officers are aware of. Indeed, one they are acting upon. Letters have been sent out explaining that ranking is against the rules.

“As a council, we should also look at this to see that we are informed and engaged with the debate.”

Cllr Giles-Medhurst also scrutinised the motivation behind the motion, speculating that backing from the Licenced Taxi Drivers’ Association could have spurred the Labour councillors’ compensation proposition.

However this claim was refuted by Shafiq Ahmed, chair of the Watford taxi association (WHCDA).

“I never knew that taxi drivers are even eligible for any type of compensation. Labour councillors did this from their own thinking and information they gathered. It was solely Labour councillors’ decision on the compensation point of the motion,” he said.

“They felt that taxi drivers are not earning the minimum wage due to Uber stealing work from illegal plying for hire, and that Uber has many advantages over the local taxi drivers.

“WHCDA finds Councillor Giles-Medhurst’s comments slandering and hurtful.  His analysis and assumption has put WHCDA in a difficult situation with Lib-Dem controlled Watford Council and with other local bodies and the Watford general public. We are extremely offended and will seek legal advice.

“I am convinced Councillor Medhurst was misinformed. I am requesting he withdraws his statement and makes a full apology to WHCDA for the distress it has caused our trade and association members.”