HYNDBURN:


Taxi drivers in Hynd- burn will be able to operate older vehicles as part of a new trial scheme.


But a new initiative will see that rise to seven years, in a bid to aid drivers. The


council


Currently a PHV must be less than five years old when it is first reg-


said that new vehicle testing procedures will improve safety and stan-


ROUND THE... DARLINGTON:


AGE LIMIT FOR TAXIS IS ALL SET TO RISE istered for use.


TAXI TYRES DECISION DEFENDED


dards for passengers. A spokesman told the Lancashire Telegraph: “It is proposed to increase the maximum age at which vehicles can be registered from five to seven years.”


ROSSENDALE: CABBIES STILL NOT HAPPY WITH POLICY CHANGES


It was reported in the local Free Press last month that taxi drivers in Rossendale said they were happy with amendments made by the council to the new licensing policy. It would appear from reports direct from the local trade, however, that this is very much not the case.


The taxi licensing poli- cy setting out the council’s views on var- ious licensing matters, including private hire operators within the borough, was dis- cussed at a Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January. As a result of a number of amendments made


to the policy at the subsequent Licensing Committee, cabbie leaders called off the threat of further strike action. As reported in PHTM last October, the council backed down in the face of threat- ened weekend strikes and town centre block- ades over the planned introduction of a penalty points scheme covering 34 misde- meanours. The Free Press report- ed in early February that the taxi licensing policy was to go to a full coun- cil meeting on March 23 for final amendments and approval. What has actually taken place was that the policy was


BASILDON: NEW RULES TO PROTECT PASSENGERS


Tough new rules will ensure that people convicted of serious sexual or violent offences are prevent- ed from driving taxis. Basildon Council’s Licensing Committee considered stricter guidelines surrounding who should be denied a taxi licence last month. These will make sure drivers with a convic- tion for rape, sex assaults, or sexual offences involving children, are barred. Applications will also not be considered for at least three years after convictions for lesser sexual offences, includ- ing indecent exposure and kerb-crawling.


PAGE 14


The aim is to protect passengers in the dis- trict and it has been welcomed by cab driv- ers around the town. According to the Southend Evening Echo, the new rules are more specific than previous regulations. Licences will be denied to drivers with convictions for mur- der, manslaughter, or terrorism offences. Applicants will be barred for three years after conviction for possession of a dan- gerous weapon. However, the rules appear to have been relaxed over drink-dri- ving offences.


Under the new regula-


tions drivers can still apply to drive taxis after a first conviction for drink-driving. However, it states: “More than one con- viction for these offences raises signifi- cant doubts as to the applicant’s fitness to drive the public. At least three years after the restoration of the driving licence follow- ing a second drink- drive conviction should elapse before an application will be considered.”


Under the previous rules, drivers had to wait at least three years after their first drink-driving convic- tion before applying.


A council is to tighten its checks on taxis after it was revealed that some vehicles are not being properly maintained.


Under Conwy County Borough Council’s licensing scheme all taxis must be tested every six months and operators should send the authority confirma- tion of compliance. But a recent review showed that some operators had not sub- mitted their details and were warned that sanctions could be imposed unless they did so.


As a result some vehi- cles had their plates


voted in by full council on Wednesday, 23 Feb- ruary, and we were informed that the trade only found out about the meeting because someone gave an asso- ciation member ‘the nod’ that it was taking place. Whilst the penalty point scheme has been shelved, there are still differ- ences of opinion over several other aspects of the new policy, such as the level and period- icy of points on the DVLA licence before a driver has to take a DSA test.


So they’ve not lived happily ever after, by any means. Watch this space.


Darlington Borough Council has defended its decision to outlaw space-saver tyres in taxis.


No longer is it allowed for taxis to carry a space-saver – a narrow wheel that is used as a spare in an emergency. They are issued as standard in many Ford and Fiat cars.


Darlington Borough Council had drawn criticism from cabbies


who were angry at having to pay for a new spare wheel. Taxi licence holder George Jenkinson said: “Space-savers are fitted on the facto- ry floor and have been for nine or ten years. Why have they sud- denly decided to ban them?”


A council spokes- woman told the Northern Echo: “A space-saver tyre is


designed to get the motorist home – it is not designed for long journeys or to be used at speed.


“The council’s policy is, therefore, that all taxis should carry full spare tyres so a wheel can be changed quick- ly, wherever they may be, and the passenger is not inconvenienced. “Taxi drivers in the town were consulted, and agreed.”


INVERCLYDE: TAXI FIRMS SET TO SMARTEN UP


Taxi drivers in Inver- clyde will now look super-smart behind the wheel - to give people a positive lasting im- pression of the area. The local council has responded to calls from cab firms to introduce regulations around dress codes. Cllr Ian MacKenzle agreed with the idea, when it was put forward at a recent committee meeting - but called for the code to be regulat- ed within the industry.


Afterwards, he told the Greenock Telegraph: “We will make sure there are no taxi driv- ers wearing spots and stripes at the same time. I think we had to ask, who would police this regulation? Would there be someone going down the line at the Tesco taxi rank? “We came to a com- promise and agreed with the sentiment but decided that it should be self-regulated. “The Tall Ships are


CONWY: TAXIS TAKEN OFF THE ROAD


removed or had their licences cancelled. The Rhyl Journal records that, in a report to the meeting of the licensing and regulation committee the head of regulatory services, Phil Rafferty says it was clear that some operators had been operating with- out current cer- tificates.


“It was evident that some vehicles had continued to be used after expiry of their COC (Certificate of Compliance) and that some time had elapsed between the expiry of the previous COC and the acquir-


ing of a new COC,” he says.


“It is clear that appro- priate maintenance of vehicles is not being applied in many cases. Vehicles are being tested, faults being detected and vehicles are still being used until the work and test is carried out. “More robust process- es are required to prevent the use of potentially unsafe or dangerous vehicles and licensing officers will be making propos- als in future about the testing regime and the licensing of testing stations,” adds the report.


PHTM MARCH 2011


coming to Inverclyde later this year and we want to leave people with a lasting good impression of Inver- clyde.


I think on the whole our taxi drivers are very well presented. I have never witnessed any driver in jeans and a football top.”


At the general purpos- es meeting, the council agreed to the introduction of a smart dress code to be regu- lated by employers.


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