PROTEST PLIGHT
SANDWELL PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER PROTEST LEADS TO POSITIVE CHANGES
Action is being taken by Sandwell Council after more than 200 disgrun- tled PHV drivers staged a protest outside its council house in Oldbury. According to the Halesowen News, drivers are unhappy at the length of time they say it is taking the council to issue private hire licences. The protest, which saw more than 200 drivers gather outside the council house earlier this month, was organ- ised by Sandwell Private Hire Drivers Association. Secretary Imran Mahmood Qureshi said: “I was in a meeting where we pre- sented our demands. “The council agreed to make changes immediately including opening the licensing office five days a week and sending out reminder letters to drivers.” Mr Qureshi said the application process had been taking far too long in Sandwell due to changes which came in during lockdown. He said: “People are going to drive in Birmingham instead as they issue
“We are listening to the drivers’ concerns and are in the process of implementing a user-friendly software sys- tem that will allow drivers to apply, track and make pay- ments and this will bring huge benefits to them. “The licensing office is now open five days a week for appointments where these are needed to resolve any
licences in three to four weeks. Within a month they are on the road, but in Sandwell it’s taking months. “We have heard good things since the protest - that things are starting to improve and are moving forward in a positive way.” Sandwell Council said its leader, Coun- cillor Rajbir Singh, met with drivers to “listen to their concerns and has com- mitted to addressing any remaining issues as quickly as possible.” Cllr Singh said: “The past 18 months has been a challenging time, particularly for those in the taxi trade.
issues and the ability to be able to pay online will be available imminently. “Sandwell Council has also reinstated issuing renewal and expiry reminder letters to assist our drivers. In addition we have reviewed how applications are processed and have agreed to contact all applicants within two working days of receiving their applications. “We are aware of the current concerns of our licensed drivers and we are working to resolve these as quickly as possible. We remain committed to pro- viding a good quality service in a safe way for both customers and staff.”
PETITION TO WAKEFIELD COUNCIL (WMDC) TO REVIEW THE VEHICLE SPECIFICATION POLICY “AGE LIMIT”
The Wakefield Drivers Association (WDA) recently sent the following petition, regarding vehicle age limits, to Wakefield Council: “We kindly request that the council considers the petition immediately. The vehicle specification/policy is adversely affecting the private hire and taxi trade within Wakefield and the district and places drivers/owners at an unfair disadvantage to their peers in the region and across the country. We would like for the council to allow: 1. Any age hybrid technology vehicle
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to become a licensed private hire or taxi vehicle, with no minimum age for first grant.
2. To scrap the existing age limit/upper age limit for all vehicles (and includ- ing hybrid and Euro 6 engines) as this places unnecessary strain and costs on applicants, as vehicles are still roadworthy and compliant as per Government standards. The same vehicles are still safe and road legal after the expiration of any locally implemented byelaw.
There are many local authorities which do not have an age limit, including
Bradford and Barnsley. Any decision made on this matter should include the views and opinions of the affected trade and councillors and should not be a unilateral decision by a single person or department. Please acknowledge safe receipt of this email, together with the electron- ic petition, within ten working days and provide a full response within 28 days. The WDA has received a response from Wakefield Council and has been told that the petition will now be debated by the Licensing Committee.
OCTOBER 2021
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