ALL COUNCILS
There are no taxi and PHV specific guidelines beyond the standard social distancing guidance currently issued by government. Therefore there is no actual guidance on which to base a refusal to allow such screens to be installed. Currently there is no specific guidance whatever available in respect of the installation – or viability – of protection screens in licensed saloon vehicles.
We believe serious consideration should be given to the inherent right of self-protection, as set out in the European Court of Human Rights, Article 2. “[The Court] considered that [regulations] must govern the licensing, setting up, operation, security and supervision of the activity and must make it compulsory for all those concerned to take practical measures to ensure the effective protection of citizens whose lives might be endangered by the inherent risks.”… “In the context of environmental disasters over which States have no control, the obligation of the State to take preventive operational measures comes down to adopting measures to reinforce the State’s capacity to deal with the unexpected and violent nature of such natural phenomena.”
… “and that an issue may arise under Article 2 where it is shown that the authorities of a Contracting State have put an individual’s life at risk through the denial of the health care which they have undertaken to make available to the population generally.”
We would go as far as to say that, under local authorities’ remit to adhere to the Regulator’s Code, local councils are “obliged to promote, endorse and encourage the growth and development of local businesses.” This most certainly includes the many transport providers whom you license within your district.
• This represents a lot of time, trouble and expense for the vehicle owner to go to, just to protect themselves on a temporary basis.
As stated at the beginning of this letter, the overall recovery of the UK’s economy, and the gradual releasing of the lockdown, is going to take a lot of time. There are going to be large numbers of members of the public who are desperate, and who will stoop to criminal acts to get what money they can to live; this of course could include attacks on drivers. We firmly believe that the presence of a substantial, well installed protection screen will at least discourage such attacks on a large scale – as well as building public confidence in private hire transport once again.
On a final note:
We must make it abundantly clear to you all that neither the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, nor Private Hire and Taxi Monthly, has any commercial connections whatever with any of the manufacturers of protection screens for saloon vehicles. We just fervently believe that this product – whoever supplies the approved, tested version – is a crucial ‘tool of the trade’ for those
owner/drivers who are willing to continue transporting passengers under these trying circumstances.
It is their choice as to whether they wish to invest in the screens; the price range is from around £75 to £500 for polycarbonate versions, depending on the level of testing and finishing. If these individuals are willing to make that sort of investment, they must be serious about protecting their passengers – and of course themselves. With this in mind, surely it must be seen as a positive move, and something the trade and local authorities could work well together to achieve, in the interest of public safety.
It is also of high importance to make clear that there are many other industry stakeholders who are behind this campaign in favour of saloon protection screens including Unite the Union, the GMB, the National Taxi Association, UPHD, and quite a few local trade associations nationwide.
We understand that some licensing authorities are hesitant to commit to approval of any of these protection screen products. We need to hear from you directly, as to what your objections are, so that we may provide further information that is specific to your query or point.
All we can do is to present the facts herein as we have obtained them through extensive and qualified research, and ask that licensing officers around the country exercise due diligence, sensitivity and care when considering the future of this industry.
It is hoped that eventually the general public will be transportable by taxi and PHV once again in a more normal fashion and volume. The only way this can happen is by boosting the confidence they have in entering and using all types of licensed vehicles; we must be seen to do anything within our power to achieve this. Your responsibilities in respect of public safety must always prevail. That includes your licensed drivers as well.
Thank you for listening. Above all, stay safe and well. Please direct any feedback or replies to: NPHTA - 0161 280 2800 Donna Short:
donna@nphta.co.uk David Lawrie:
dave@nphta.co.uk Karen Barlow:
karen@nphta.co.uk
....WE ARE THE FOURTH EMERGENCY SERVICE.... MAY 2020
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