DENBIGHSHIRE residents have more taxi and private hire vehicles to choose from than they did before the pandemic, figures suggest, despite a huge fall across the rest of the country.

The GMB union said many drivers across England and Wales struggled to find work during 2020 and have left the industry as a result.

Department for Transport figures show 263 vehicles were licensed to operate in Denbighshire at the end of March.

Of those, 210 were traditional taxis which can be hailed from the street, while 53 were private hire vehicles, such as those available through Uber, which need to be pre-booked.

The figure was up from 254 the year before, when there were 210 taxis and 44 vehicles for private hire.

Across Wales, however, the number of licensed vehicles decreased from 10,220 to 9,163 over the year – a fall of 10%.

During both periods, taxis made up around half of all vehicles.

GMB, the union for taxi and private hire drivers, said the pandemic has had a "huge effect" on driver numbers.

Mick Rix, GMB national officer, said: "Many drivers struggled to find work during 2020 and the various lockdowns.

'It will take some time for the local markets to get back to the levels of use by customers prior to the pandemic.

"Many drivers have given up and have handed their vehicles and licences in."

GMB said its analysis of operators in November 2020 shows drivers were earning just 20% what they were at the same time the year before.

The DfT figures show there were 2.9 taxis and private hire vehicles for every 1,000 people in Wales at the end of March – which had fallen from 3.2 in 2020.

At 2.7 per 1,000 people, Denbighshire has a rate similar to the national average.

The National Private Hire and Taxi Association criticised the UK Government for a lack of financial aid for drivers in England, accusing it of leaving drivers feeling "abandoned, unappreciated" and forgotten about.

But it said the Welsh Government has been far more supportive in terms of financial support, though many drivers had still left the industry.

David Lawrie, director of the NPHTA, added: "Many trade members have moved on to delivery driving, which includes goods and food deliveries, in fact many have moved on completely and may never return.

"Some of those who have taken up roles in deliveries may have retained their hackney or private hire licences for now, whilst they assess their new roles, but again, may see that the grass is greener.

"There is of course also a very large section of our industry who were not fortunate enough to be young enough or healthy enough to be so lucky as to find alternative roles."

The Welsh Government said it was pleased the NPHTA recognised the support it has provided.

A spokesman added: "Funding has been available through the local authority discretionary grant and non-domestic relief but we recognise the extent of the challenge that coronavirus has caused for taxi drivers."