WOLVERHAMPTON: TEMPORARY AUDIO CONSIDERED
ROUND THE COUNCILS IPSWICH:
NEW WATERFRONT TAXI RANK
Following the tragic murder of private hire driver, Anakh Singh, in 2022, Wolverhampton Council is considering allowing drivers to temporarily record audio inside their cabs using a 'panic switch'. More than 300 crimes were recorded in 2019 by West Midlands Police that involved Wolverhampton taxis/PHVs according to the council and the move aims to enhance driver safety and deter potential attacks. While CCTV cameras are already permitted in licensed vehicles, continuous audio recording has been res- tricted due to privacy concerns with the council stating: recording conversations would be “highly intrusive to people’s data rights and unjustified in meeting the purpose of preventing and evidencing crimes.” However, now the local authority is reviewing its stance on this matter. The proposed ‘panic switch’ would allow drivers to activate audio recording when they feel threatened, providing valuable evidence for law enforcement. Wolverhampton Council has installed a panic switch in one taxi as part of a pilot scheme. The system is used by Rotherham which was one of the first councils to allow audio recording in licensed taxis following the CSE scandal. Wolverhampton would join councils in Sheffield, Guildford, York, Cambridge, and Southampton to introduce taxi audio recording. The council’s regulatory committee met on 26 September, to approve plans for a six-week public consultation. A final decision is not expected to be made until next year.
HILLINGDON: PSPO CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
Hillingdon Council has launched a consultation on a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to prohibit PH and taxi vehicles from waiting in residential streets around Heathrow airport. Residents in local villages are asked to share their concerns or incidents suffered due to taxis or PHVs using residential streets for parking. The council is also seeking views from trade bodies and other associations with a vested interest. Sshare your views on these proposals:
https://shorturl.at/bnLwW The consultation will close on 1 November 2024.
PHTM OCTOBER 2024
A year after the removal of a taxi rank due to lack of customers, Ipswich Borough Council is proposing to introduce a new five space waterfront rank on Key Street. The council believes the new rank will better serve the area's bars and restaurants. However, the proposal has faced opposition from taxi drivers. Mo Ali, a local taxi driver, expressed concerns about the viability of the new rank, citing the failure of a previous trial on Duke Street. He also questioned whether this is a sufficient compensation for the loss of 10 taxi ranks on Lloyds Avenue, which was pedestrianised. Cllr John Cook, portfolio holder for sports and com- munities, defended the proposal, stating that the waterfront is a vibrant area that needs accessible taxis. Despite the opposition, the council remains committed to finding suitable locations for taxi ranks in the town center. While the waterfront is the current focus, they are open to considering other viable options.
STIRLING: RANK LOCATION CONSULTATION
Residents of Stirling have been invited to have their say on plans for a new taxi rank in the city centre, as the local authority looks to address a growing demand for taxi services. Following a survey that revealed unmet demand for taxis, Stirling Council’s Planning and Regulation Panel lifted the cap on the number of taxi licences permitted to apply for hire in Stirling city centre. This decision, however, necessitates the creation of an additional taxi rank to accommodate the increase in the number of cabs. The council is currently exploring the possibility of utilising a loading bay on the west side of Port Street. The proposed plan would see the loading bay maintain its original function for deliveries and pick- ups during the day (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm). However, after 6pm and throughout the night, the designated area would transform into a dedicated taxi rank. Stirling residents were encouraged to share their opinions on this proposal by 30 September after which a decision will be made.
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