COUNCIL COMPLACENCY
BLACKPOOL TAXI DRIVERS CALL FOR ACTION ON ROGUE PH DRIVERS - COUNCIL SAYS IT’S POWERLESS
Blackpool taxi drivers are demanding action to stop rogue private hire drivers operating in the resort - which they warn is putting passengers at risk. Hackney drivers are angry after witnessing out-of-town PHVs using the ranks to ply for trade. They are now calling on the council to take action to prevent uninsured vehicles plying for hire on ranks, but town hall officials say legislation means their hands are tied. Jurisdiction remains with the council where the vehicle was licensed, even if it is operating in Blackpool. Dee Grant, a director of C Cabs, based in Caunce Street, said: “Enforcement has for some time now been made aware of the problems the trade is facing regarding unlicensed vehicles coming into Blackpool. “They are illegally plying for trade either by driving up and down the Promenade or more alarmingly sitting on the taxi ranks.” She called on police and council enforcement teams “to challenge these individuals.” She added: “It is a criminal offence as they are driving without insurance when they take unbooked jobs.” Ms Grant says she fears it could lead to rogue drivers using fake signage to pretend to be taxi drivers. Andrew Yates, who has been a hackney driver in Blackpool for 32 years, confronted a rogue driver on the Dickson Road rank. He said: “I’m worried because we have drivers, who have not gone through any vetting procedures in Blackpool, picking up youngsters
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NPHTA comment: “In practical terms this means that at the point we
are
in uninsured vehicles. People are flagging down cabs and taking journeys in unvetted vehicles. It’s a matter of public safety.” Blackpool Council said it shared the concerns of drivers and is investigating what action to take. John Blackledge, director of community and environmental services, said: “The issue of PHVs and the location to which they are registered is an issue nationally and not unique to Blackpool. “Blackpool Council’s Licensing Service is ultimately responsible for all regulatory matters associated with its licensed fleet. In practical terms this means that at the point we are observing vehicles/drivers and generally conducting enforce- ment activity, we can take action against Blackpool licensees, however we have no power to deal with any issues regarding licensed vehicles/drivers from other areas. “If we did detect issues, we would pass those concerns over to the respective authority for them to deal with. Sadly that is a situation that is outside of our control. “Taxi operators have alerted us to instances of PHVs using the ranks. “We know how frustrating this is for them and we share those concerns. We are in the process of looking at what appropriate enforcement we are able to take.”
observing vehicles/drivers and generally conducting enforce- ment activity, we can take action against Blackpool licensees, however we have no power to deal with any issues detected regarding licensed vehicles/ drivers from other areas.” This is only half correct, they are powerless to take enforcement action against any breach of licensing conditions, since they are not the “regulator”, that is true, they can only submit a report to the issuing authority. Where an offence is committed such as unlawfully plying for hire, any enforcement officer or licensing authority can and should prosecute for the offence, since that is national legislation, not restricted to local enforcement. Where such prosecutions are obtained, then the issuing authority has grounds to take action against the licensee based on the conviction. Henderson versus Gateshead defined the offence of unlawfully plying for hire as being: “parked on or near to a taxi rank, or near to a crowded area, making yourself appear to be available for immediate hire.” Then the comment made: “We know how frustrating this is and we share those concerns”
You as a licensing authority are in a position to take legal action against such offences and to make the message loud and clear that this is NOT acceptable, please support your local trade, and act!
AUGUST 2023 PHTM
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