CABBIE CONQUESTS


THREAT OF NEW YEAR’S EVE TAXI STRIKE IN HEREFORDSHIRE AVERTED


The threat of a New Year’s Eve taxi strike in Herefordshire was averted after councillors voted to hold off on introducing a controversial new policy for licensing drivers and vehicles in the county. At a full council meeting on 9 December, attended by around 60 taxi drivers and addressed by the head of their trade body John Jones, councillors voted by a substantial majority to hold off approving the 250-page document.


take cognisance of the public view on this. This policy needs more work. There will be ample time to bring it back in March.” Drivers had earlier threatened to strike as they felt the councillors and officers had failed to meet to discuss outstanding issues before bringing the final document forward, though they


had


The motion to defer was put forward by Conservative councillor Nigel Shaw, who said: “We need to


undertaken to do so. Drivers applauded the decision made at council headquarters.


BLACKBURN CABBIES’ VICTORY AS COUNCIL AMENDS CONTROVERSIAL RULE CHANGES


Taxi driver representatives met with Blackburn with Darwen Council on December 14, where cabbies raised concerns over proposed new rules. In November, more than 600 drivers signed a petition at a special meeting over new regulations where drivers could be banned if they get more than seven points on their licence. Drivers also voiced their concerns over further stringent tests over the condition of their vehicles. The council is presently consulting on a revised taxi policy. The new proposals are part of a consultation that would bring BwD policies in line with the national policy and ran until the end of the year. At the meeting, Cllr Jim Smith assured trade representatives that he would not be recommending a policy where taxi drivers were banned from operating for up to five years if they amassed seven points or more on their licence. The council was also looking to


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allow cabbies to obtain medicals from third party companies rather than their GP if they wish to do so. Following the meeting with the council, spokesperson Sagir Hussain said: “A huge thank you to all the taxi drivers who supported us. This was due to everyone’s dedication and signing the petition. A number of issues were raised and have now been settled. “When a new car was bought there was no MoT for three years. This has been extended to five.” Kapadia Amin said: “Any driver with seven points on his licence would have been barred for five years. That is dropped now. We are thankful we


were allowed to make a difference.” Cabbies had also raised issues over the council’s one MoT testing station saying the ‘monopoly’ was unfair. Drivers must still have their car tested at that MoT centre but there has been an extension to the time allowed for repeat tests. Strategic Director of Environment, Martin Eden, said: “The council wants to see an increase in MoT and taxi test pass rates as well as newer vehicles on the taxi fleet. “To encourage this, we will be recommending amending the current policy so taxis that pass the MoT and taxi test on first pres- entation will not need to be re-tested for eight months rather than the current six months. “Presently taxis under three years only need to be tested once a year for the first three years. The council will be recommending amending the current policy so taxis will only need to be tested once a year for the first five years.”


JANUARY 2023 PHTM


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