Manchester Airport's plan to stop taxi drivers waiting on Wythenshawe streets: Charge them £1 to park on their land

Bosses at Manchester Airport say they are taking steps to curb congestion on the streets of Wythenshawe by cutting the cost of a dedicated waiting area for cabbies. But it's raised debate over whether taxi drivers should be charged at all while they wait to collect passengers.

The dedicated zone at JetParks on Thorley Lane is a place for private hire and taxi drivers to wait for fares, either after dropping off passengers at the hub or if their fare's flight is delayed. It's aimed at deterring drivers from waiting on Wythenshawe's residential streets, exacerbating the congestion on these busy roads.

The airport has also teamed up with Cheshire Police and the council to combat dodgy parking firms who use the streets to park passenger cars.

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Previously, the waiting zone has cost cabbies £1 for up to an hour, £1.50 for up to two and £2 for three hours - past which point there's a £50 fine. But now hub bosses have slashed the fees in half, meaning it costs £1 for up to three hours.

The offer will last throughout the summer holidays when passenger numbers are highest, with hub bosses saying the fee pays for upkeep of the facility, including a hot drinks machine, indoor seating, toilets and flight information screens. It's open 24 hours.

Private hire firms are being contacted directly by the airport with details of how they can use the scheme during the summer holidays. If the trial is a success, the hub will offer the discounts during future busy periods.

Manchester Airport's statement on the discount quoted driver Zaheer Aslam, who said: "“That's absolutely brilliant news. Didn't know this place existed. Great to use the toilet etc. Well