Unlicensed tour vehicles putting Stonehenge tourists at risk

They have reported a spike in minivan driver who do not have the correct paperwork or insurance taking tourists to the Neolithic landmark.

Unlicensed operators can charge lower prices than ‘legitimate’ tour guides, and so can undercut their prices.

The owner of a Wiltshire-based tour company, who asked not to be named, said he has seen a “huge increase” in the number of unlicensed private hire minivans operating in the area – especially at Stonehenge.

He believes the issue has worsened since the pandemic, blaming a reduction in spot-checks carried out by Wiltshire Council and the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The council says it has not received any complaints about unlicensed companies running tours until it was contacted by the Journal and has urged people with concerns to make formal reports via its website.

The DVSA has denied reducing enforcement activity at Stonehenge.

The guide says the unlicensed vehicles arrive at the visitor centre ‘daily’ (Image: Newsquest) The tour guide said: “All local and London operators have simply had enough as it’s taking business away from correctly licensed companies.

“It’s gotten worse over the last three years, and it’s been crazy in the last year.

“They’re coming from Southampton, London and Bath in unlicenced vehicles. They’re advertising online for this season, and they’re clearly not licenced.

“Because it’s not monitored anymore, they’re just getting away with it, and it’s getting worse. People around country have had enough.”

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The experienced guide said he spends £2,000 a year to insure his van for public tours, but personal insurance would cost 10 times less.

Other overheads include licensing fees and regular vehicle checks.

More than 1.3 million people visited Stonehenge in 2023 (Image: Laura de Freitas) “We pride ourselves on doing it correctly”, he said.

“It’s a good thing. People are paying us to be on the road.

“If a family books a tour, they need to know that we’ve had a background check, because we’re taking kids.

“We’re hoping it’s going to stop this summer. Because nobody’s checking, they do whatever they want.

“I was up there two days ago, and I was flabbergasted by these guys coming in. Some of them will park out of the way because they know they’re in the wrong.

“Hopefully, the authorities and English Heritage will get involved and stop unlicensed vehicles.

“If they knew they would be checked, it would be a great deterrent, like it was in the past.

“There’s been no deterrent since Covid, and it’s not being monitored.”

Tour guides face ‘eye-wateringly high’ insurance (Image: Newsquest) Adge Secker, a former police officer who owns The Bath Tour Guide, runs several bespoke tours, including to Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral.

He said: “We have vehicles that have all gone through council tests.

“They’re like taxis – we go through the same scrutiny for road worthiness. Our insurance is eye-wateringly high, and we have to have operating licenses, as well.

“It’s a lot of money to be legal, as it were. That means, should the worst happen, our passengers are covered by insurance.

“People getting in unlicenced vehicles have no idea they’re not covered.

“My insurance for one vehicle is over £2,000 per year. I’m happy to pay that to be legitimate. I suspect they are charging less.

“It also undermines the professional reputation of the industry. I’m not sure how big the problem is, but I’m absolutely sure it exists.”

Stonehenge is one of more than 400 historic places cared for by English Heritage (Image: Newsquest) Mr Secker has been spot-checked at Bristol Airport to confirm he has the appropriate paperwork to be carrying paying customers.

“It took five minutes to prove the legitimacy of my business,” he said.

“I would welcome the authorities coming to Stonehenge completely unannounced and checking our documents.

“They are the ones that have the teeth. I don’t know any legitimate private hire driver who would object to it.”

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Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Wiltshire Council hadn’t received any complaints about unlicensed companies running tours in the county until contacted by the Journal for comment.

“We would urge those making complaints to get in touch with the council formally via the MyWilts app or the Wilshire Council website so that we can investigate further.”

Winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA) A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe vehicles and drivers and we use intelligence to prioritise our commercial vehicle enforcement activities to have the greatest impact against unsafe vehicles and drivers.

“We have a responsibility to carry out regular spot checks at numerous locations all over Great Britain, including Stonehenge.

“DVSA has not reduced its enforcement activity.

“We also investigate non-compliance issues as part of our ongoing enforcement response.”

An English Heritage spokesperson said: “Stonehenge is a popular destination for both independent visitors and those on organised tours.

“We work closely with many travel trade companies, though some tour operators bring visitors without a direct relationship with us.

“Regardless, all visitors follow the same route and receive a warm welcome.

“For the best group tour experience and the most accurate information about this unique prehistoric site, we recommend choosing a recognised and licensed operator.”