ROUND THE COUNCLS
BLACKBURN W DARWEN: SECOND MoT STATION REFUSED
Blackburn licensed drivers are furious that their request for a second MoT testing staton has been refused for the third time. Trade representaive Charlie Oakes told PHTM: “This is ridiculous. The council clearly states that the age profile of the private hire and hackney carriage fleet licensed within Blackburn with Darwin BC shows 70% of vehicles are at least ten years old. “The current system requires all vehicles to be tested at the Council's Motor Vehicle Service Station. “The trade has requested more options but the council has refused to approve a second MoT station and will not review this again until 2025 ... three years time! “Where is the logic in this decision?”
TENDRING: TEST LEAVES ONE FIRM IN HARWICH
Taxi drivers are up in arms about a Tendring District Council policy which states drivers require a working knowledge of the whole of Tendring to obtain a licence. This policy has led to only one active taxi firm working in Harwich after 4pm. David Whittam, owner of that firm, Harwich Taxis, has bemoaned the strain the policy has put on his business. He said: “We’re so busy because the other two firms aren’t working, we can’t cover all the work. I need at least another three or four drivers but because the test is so hard, we’re finding it hard to recruit. “I have one driver that I’m trying to bring on at the moment, but he has one more segment to go in his test because he failed the Brightlingsea part, we barely go to Brightlingsea.” David is also worried about the price of the test and can’t believe how difficult the process has become since he started. He added: “When I took my test more than 30 years ago, all I had to know was the Harwich area. They would ask you a few other questions such as where is the police station in Clacton, which hospital to go to in an emergency, and other points of interest but that’s it. “It also costs more than £500 for a test and considering how many people are failing that’s really tough.” Harwich councillor Garry Calver agrees with David and is working on a resolution to the situation. He has been
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in dialogue with councillor Colin Winfield who is chairman of the licensing and registration committee at Tendring Council. Mr Winfield said: “I was sad to learn there is only one taxi firm in operation in Harwich, personally I want the drivers to keep their jobs because we need them, but it's up to the committee. We’ve got a question coming up at the latest council meeting asking the committee to address the situation which we will do the best of our ability.”
CHESHIRE WEST: DRIVERS TO TRIAL EV OPTIONS
Taxi and private hire drivers in Cheshire West could soon be part of a trial to help explore the possibility of electric vehicle use throughout the borough. Cheshire West and Chester Council, working in partnership with EB Charging, will launch a four to six week trial engaging with taxi companies in Cheshire West to find out if EVs could more beneficial than traditional petrol or diesel cars. During the trial, a small telematics device will be plugged into their current vehicles and they will continue to drive as normal. The device records how the vehicle is being used and the data is analysed to create an evaluation report for the driver, or their fleet manager. The report usually costs around £200 but as part of this trial it is being offered free of charge. In the vast majority of cases these reports show that an electric vehicle is a suitable alternative to a petrol or diesel vehicle and operating and maintenance costs can be greatly reduced. The Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: "This is an ideal opportunity to find out if an electric vehicle is suitable for your licensed taxi or private hire business. "In eight years’ time you will not be able to buy a new petrol or diesel powered car plus consumers are becoming more environmentally aware and choosing green companies. It could be a perfect time to make the switch to electric. "We have been working with EB Charging to arrange some sessions in Ellesmere Port and Northwich for drivers to find out more on 23 and 24 August." Taxis and PH drivers can register or find out more by emailing: EnvironmentalProtection@cheshirewestandchester.
gov.uk
SEPTEMBER 2022 PHTM
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