The United Cabbies Group (UCG) has been holding weekly protests that have so far caused traffic chaos at Bank junction and Fleet Street, but today’s action is focussed on TfL’s headquarters at Windsor House on Victoria Street.
It comes as the High Court considers whether or not the Uber app functions as a Taximeter and breaks TfL regulations that say only licensed taxis can use them. Uber cars are licensed as Private Hire Vehicles (PHV), also known as minicabs.
Today Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who clashed with cabbies at Mayor’s Question Time, said in his Telegraph column: “At present that law is being systematically broken – or at least circumvented – by the use of the Uber app.” The Metropolitan Police have closed roads and imposed conditions on the protest, with Commander BJ Harrington, Gold for the policing of the event said, “When an organiser of an event comes to us, we need to balance their rights with the impact their event will have on the local community. “Victoria Street and the surrounding area is a busy traffic route and we believe if the proposed procession went ahead without conditions it would result in serious disruption.”
http://www.london24.com/news/transport/taxi_protest_causes_gridlock_in_westminster_1_4259516
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14 out of 24 taxis stopped in Huddersfield on Friday night had defects
Five were taken off the road immediately and a further nine were given suspension notices with brakes and tyres a big problem
A spot check by Kirklees Council officers saw five out of 24 licensed taxis hauled off the road after dangerous defects were found.
Licensing officer Andrew Prescott said a further nine drivers were handed suspension notices giving them a brief time in which to remedy significant defects.
The other 10 vehicles were given the all clear.
Mr Prescott said: “Well over 50 per cent of the vehicles we examined needed to have some kind of work carried out.
“It was routine maintenance on brakes and tyres. I think that is a disappointing figure. It’s a worry that so many did not pass the test.”
There are around 2,000 licensed vehicles in Kirklees.
The spot checks were carried out on Friday on the ring road close to the multi-storey car park at Queensgate between 6pm and 10pm.
A further four motorists were told they could not drive their vehicles including one man who only had a provisional licence.
Another eight vehicles were given rectification sheets requiring their owners to carry out remedial work. Three more were dealt with by way of traffic offence reports.
One of those called in for a check was Ben Phillips, 21, who runs Banney Royd Gardening Services with his brother Marc Shaw. Their vehicle was given the all clear.
Mr Phillips said: “I think these spot checks are a good thing. I have only been driving a couple of weeks and we need our vehicle for our work so it’s important to keep it well-maintained.”
Amjad Naddem, 44, a self-employed taxi driver who has been working for nearly 12 years, said: “I think it’s a good thing. If vehicles are not roadworthy then they should not be on the road. The public need to have confidence in our vehicles.”
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/14-out-24-taxis-stopped-10197017
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LEEDS
An investigation has been launched after taxi customer Suzanne Giblett claimed she was assaulted by her driver in a row over money.
Amber Cars has confirmed it has suspended a driver and alerted Leeds City Council’s licensing department while it investigates the 27-year-old’s claims, which have so far been shared 9,000 times in a post on Facebook.
Suzanne said that, after using Amber’s phone app to pay through her card for a journey from Burley to Leeds city centre on Friday night, she got out of the car and walked off before being “grabbed” by the taxi driver who said the payment had not gone through.
She told the YEP: “He grabbed my bag and tried to drag me down the stairs and said ‘You’re not going anywhere’. I was panicking and crying. Three people stopped to help. He was just shouting in my face and pointing at me.”
She said she’s since had an email receipt but is double-checking whether the money went though, but added: “That’s not the way to deal with it.”
Amber Cars said an investigation is ongoing into the incident. A statement on the company’s Facebook site added: “Customer and public safety is paramount to Amber Cars, hence the introduction of text back, ringback and the vehicle registration number being sent. You can also track your vehicle when booked via the app. This means the customer always knows whose car they are getting in, and that they don’t have to wait outside alone until they know the car is there. We transport over 200,000 passengers every week safely.”
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of this particular complaint, and are currently undertaking an investigation to assess if any action needs to be undertaken.”
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/investigation-launched-into-leeds-taxi-row-1-7497532
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LANCASTER
An 18-year-old woman suffered serious head injuries after being hit by a taxi in Lancaster on Saturday night, October 3.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident which they say occured in Parliament Street at around 11.30pm.
But witnesses, and a witness incident appeal poster, flag up the location as Cable Street, between Sainsburys and The Bobbin pub.
The woman was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital where she remains in a serious condition.
The road was closed for two and a half hours to facilitate an investigation.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log 1826 of October 3.
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/woman-hit-by-taxi-in-lancaster-in-serious-condition-1-7497192
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