IN THE NEWS
DERBY CABBIES SAY THEY CAN’T PICK UP CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF SCHOOL SAFE HAVEN ZONES
Derby cabbies say new road
closures near schools are making it impossible to pick up and drop off customers, particularly those with disabilities. The drivers are calling for a change to the rules, which they
claim are causing major
problems for vulnerable residents. Derby
City Council has imple-
mented over a dozen “School Safe Haven Zones” (SSHZ) in recent years to improve safety by restricting vehicle access on certain residential streets during school start and end times. The zones were created following “complaints regarding dangerous parking” and are enforced with fines. However, taxi drivers are not included on the list of exemptions,
which currently includes residents, blue badge holders, and emergency vehicles. This means that during the timed closures, which can last up to an hour, customers living within the zones must walk to or from a taxi at the edge of the closed area. Taxi driver Lee Roach highlighted the issue, stating: “There
are
disabled people who can’t walk up the street. There are people who still need to get taxis in these zones. But we can’t get to them.” Another driver, Adnan Khan, echoed this concern, asking: “How do you explain to them that ‘we can’t get to you, can you walk to us’? If they are registered disabled, they can’t do that.” A spokesperson for Derby City Council confirmed there is “not a general exemption for taxis” and said the zones’ primary goal is to “reduce motor vehicles and create a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for child- ren.” The council said zone times and distances are “kept as short as possible” to minimise inconvenience.
HONEST LONDON CABBIE RETURNS £100,000 HERMES HANDBAG TO GRATEFUL OWNER
A London black cab driver named Terry has been praised for his integrity after he returned a Hermès handbag valued at £100,000 to its owner, Hana Al Hai. Hana, a visitor to
London,
accidentally left the luxury bag in the back of Terry's taxi. Terry found the bag, thought to be a Mini Kelly black alligator with silver hardware, and immediately recognised it as something special. "I could see straight away this wasn’t an ordinary handbag," he said. With no contact information inside, Terry went to great lengths to find the owner. He contacted the Dubai Mall Lounge, where Hana was a member, to track her down. The
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Dubai Mall then informed Hana that her bag was safe with Terry. Terry successfully returned the handbag to Hana at her hotel in Knightsbridge the following day. Reflecting on his actions, Terry stated: "I drove straight back to the hotel to return it. That’s just what we do. This is why London black cabs are the best in the world - we’re trusted."
For his honesty, Terry received a £200 tip and an offer for a holiday at a hotel owned by Hana in Dubai. Hana later took to social media to express her gratitude. "It’s rare to meet someone with such integrity and genuine care for others," she wrote, adding: "You turned what could have been a stressful experience
into a
reminder of the goodness in people." The LTDA also commented on the incident, using it as an example of the high standards of London's black cab industry. In a statement, the LTDA said: "This driver’s actions exemplify why black cabs remain the safest and most reliable form of transport in London."
SEPTEMBER 2025 PHTM
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