clusive
Ex
Liverpool
Wheelchair User
Group and Allied
Vehicles Jubilant in
High Court Judge
Decision…
Reporter David Millward
A
lma Lunt, who is the Chair of the Merseyside Coalition of Inclusive
Living along with Allied Vehicles who produce the E7 alternative taxi,
are jubilant after a landmark decision made by High Court Judge Blake J.
on 31
st
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Manchester, Coventry and whisper it softly… London.
After a Judicial Review in the Royal Courts of Justice, the hearing of
which lasted three days, Liverpool City Council was challenged about
their outright refusal to licence the Peugeot E7 as a hackney cab within
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repercussions, not only for the licensing of taxis, it will also clarify the
extent of the legal responsibilities of local authorities to consider disabled
people and their needs when making such decisions. The Judge ruled
that Liverpool City Council had failed to discharge its duties under the
Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and two provisions of the Disability
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1 the provisions that prohibit discrimination in the carrying out of
public functions by authorities; and
Alma Lunt and Jean Price
2 the disability equality duty.
outside the court
The long-running campaign to licence taxis other than those that pass the
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in any way. However, the court was shown the DVD of Mrs Lunt accessing
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both vehicles and it was evident that Mrs Lunt did not have the same
the estimated 12,000 plus wheelchair users that live in Liverpool and its
problems in the E7 and that there is enough space to turn her wheelchair
surrounding areas.
around to be secured, something that Mrs Lunt claimed was not possible
in the traditional taxis.
Liverpool Licensing Committee admitted it has seen a demonstration of
0UV/XQWXVLQJRQHRIWKHFXUUHQW7;ÁHHWYHKLFOHVDQGWKDWVKHFDQQRWEH Liverpool City Council has until September 7
th
to lodge an appeal.
secured for safe travel, because her wheelchair is larger than the standard
size, it nevertheless maintains that she is not being discriminated against Copyright David Millward 2009
Alma Lunt and Jean Price with the Will this be a familiar sight on London’s
legal team inside the court streets in the future?
30
All Photographs © D Millward
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