50 PRIVATE HIRE AND TAXI MONTHLY IN THE NEWS
STRETCHED LIMOS NOW HAVE TO BE LICENSED IN NEW FOREST
Council chiefs in the New Forest have ruled that stretched limou- sines must be licensed in the interests of pub- lic safety. The new rules have been approved follow- ing consultations with the New Forest Taxi Association and stretch limo owners through- out the district. The outsized cars will be classed as private hire vehicles and cov- ered by additional regulations following
the council’s decision to adopt guidelines issued by the Depart- ment of Transport. Southampton-based stretch limos have been covered by simi- lar rules for several years. Cars owned by operators in other parts of the region, including Eastleigh, Winchester and Portsmouth, also have to be licensed. Nowthe NewForest has followed the example of other local authorities in the county.
A spokesman told the New Forest Post: “The council has agreed that licensing should take place in a bid to regulate the hiring of stretched limos, which are becom- ing increasingly popular. “A large proportion of these vehicles have been operating unli- censed as a result of their unique design.” The new regulations were approved at a meeting of the licensing and general purposes committee. A report to
councillors said: “The introduction of such a policy would provide significant controls and better safety conditions for the public.” The report said the pro- posals had not resulted in any adverse com- ments from the taxi association and limou- sine operators. Committee chairman, Les Puttock. added: “The new licensing will give reassurance to users that both the vehi- cle and driver are safe.”
‘DRACONIAN’ THREAT TO CHESTER CHAUFFEURS
SEE US ON STAND 14
A chauffeur has attacked Chester City Council claiming their “dracon- ian”measures are hitting limousine drivers hard in the pocket. Chester hackney car- riage drivers have slammed the council’s decision to lift limits on taxi numbers, saying it has led to falling stan- dards and drivers’ liveli- hoods being destroyed. Now, limousine driver John Aitken, 55, says they aren’t the only drivers fearing for their futures. He told the Chester Chronicle: “All contract chauffeurs have to be licensed and being so bureaucratic the coun- cil decided to put an age limit on the cars. All the cars have to be new cars. “I drive for companies like Unilever and Marks and Spencer; the car is very clean and well maintained and I never
have complaints. “I drive a Volvo S80 on a 2002 registration plate but when my licence runs out I won’t be able to do the job I am doing because the council says the car is too old. There will be many others too. “Chester is draconian in the way they operate for all taxi drivers. You just cannot get on with- out the backing of a bank manager lending you
hundreds of
pounds. “In Chester we have to re-apply every year but in Ellesmere Port and Neston it is every three years, and there is no age restriction. “We have to have two MOTs every year, we have to pay the council for one and then have one like any other driv- er would. “I am worried for the future. I could lose my car and my job.”
NEW CARRIAGE DRIVERS IN BLACKPOOL NOW NEED LICENCE
New drivers of Black- pool’s
famous
horse-drawn carriages will have to pass a driv- ing test before being allowed to ride along the seafront. Blackpool Council had proposed that all lan- dau drivers should hold a driving licence at a meeting last month. Existing drivers, some of whom had been doing the job for 40 years, were given a reprieve. But new driv- ers must have held a licence for at least 12 months. Had the full proposal been passed, ten would have been unable to work. The issue was raised before, in 2003, but the licence requirement was not made at that time. Ted Rhodes, senior licensing officer, told the BBC News: “Future applicants to become landau drivers must have held a licence for 12 months. “The decision was taken that there will be no requirement for cur- rent drivers to hold a licence, negating the
need to make drivers redundant.” There are currently 44 landau drivers regis- tered to Blackpool Council. A report considered by councillors before the licensing meeting said making existing drivers exempt from the new rules could leave the council open to civil action. The current rules state that to obtain a landau operator licence, a driv- er must be a “fit and proper person”, not have any relevant crim- inal
convictions,
provide a vet’s letter and have a driving test by a council examiner. Mmm I was reading this article and thinking...I did not know that the DVLA had horse drawn Landau driving Inspec- tors! I wonder what sort of test this will be!? And then I saw that the test will be done by a coun- cil employee! And the light dawned!
...how much will the test be?! It’s a money earner!! Ted will see the council through this financial crisis one way or anoth- er!!! He he he!!!!! Ed
MAY 2009
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