ULSTER

The woman whose body was discovered in the Black Lough near Dungannon, has been named locally as 68-year-old widow Hilda Kyle.

A mother of four from the Moygashel area it is understood she took a taxi to the beauty spot on Monday afternoon, and was later reported missing.

Hilda, who has been described locally as “a very jolly lady”, is understood to have been in remission for a previous diagnosis of cancer.

Her body discovered in Black Lough by rescue workers at around 10.15am on Tuesday morning.

Two boats and a police helicopter were involved in the operation, and her body was found on the Eglish Road side of the lough.

Ulster Unionist councillor for the area Walter Cuddy said Hilda was a “wonderful, friendly woman with a great personality”, while DUP councillor Kim Ashton said she would like to pass on her condolences to Hilda’s family following her tragic death.

“I’d like to let the family know that we’re all thinking about them as they’re going through what must be a very difficult time,” she said.

http://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/news/tyrone-news/hilda-kyle-took-a-taxi-to-the-dungannon-lake-where-her-body-was-tragically-discovered-1-7465039?

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ROTHERHAM

TODAY marks the deadline for most taxis in Rotherham to have CCTV equipment fitted.

Rotherham Borough Council commissioner Mary Ney said the policy sets a standard among the highest in the country.

A raft of measures have been introduced to rebuild trust in Rotherham’s taxi industry, which was criticised in the Jay report.

Other changes inlcude a ‘fit and proper’ person test, child safeguarding classes, English and maths tests and more stringent vehicle regulations.

Ms Ney, who has overseen the new policy, said: “Rotherham Council is committed to providing a professional and safe transport service. 

“Our aim is to make Rotherham licensed drivers, operators and vehicles of the best quality.

"Ask for a Rotherham driver when you book your taxi and you will know your driver has met our high expectations.

“The regulations will ensure the safety of all those who use local taxis, rebuild trust and confidence in an industry which employs many local people whilst supporting drivers to do their job.”

Cameras must be activated whenever the vehicle is being used as a taxi. Audio footage must be taken when carrying children — and can be activated by any customer at any time. 

Drivers will not have access to footage. Where 2016 renewal dates fall after July 6, CCTV must be installed when the driver next renews.

If you believe a driver is not abiding by the new rules, report your concern at www.rotherham.gov.uk/taxi.

http://rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/103743/rebuilding-trust-in-rotherham-taxi-trade.aspx?

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LONDON (Reuters) - The London Taxi Company, maker of the British capital's distinctive black cabs, plans to ramp up production by the end of the decade and sell taxis and vans to other major European cities, its chairman said.

The company, owned by Chinese automaker Geely , is building a new plant close to its existing factory in Coventry, central England, and said Britain's decision to leave the European Union would not affect its current investment plans.

Chairman Carl-Peter Forster said the company aimed to produce around 10,000 cabs and light commercial vehicles a year by about 2020, up from 1,171 in 2015.
"We are currently presenting the taxi to major European cities. We've been to Oslo, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin this week and based on this same platform ... we will offer this light commercial vehicle," he told reporters.

"2019/20/21 that is our horizon."

The London Taxi Company, which traces its roots back to 1899 and was bought out of administration by Geely in 2013, said in March last year it would invest 250 million pounds in its new site. In October, it said it would add another 50 million pounds to the project.

Forster said future investments would depend on the new relationship Britain forges with the EU, but that decisions would not need to be made until at least 2018.

"We don't have to make a decision over the next two to three years. By then we will know exactly what the regulatory framework is and the customs and duties framework and then we can make a decision," he said.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/london-black-cab-maker-plans-124007670.html

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BIRMINGHAM

Plans to give minicab companies and drivers a quality service rating to improve standards have been unveiled by city licensing chiefs.

If adopted it means that passengers will be able to see just how well a cab firm performs on a range of measures from disabled access to how often vehicles are checked. How operators record and handle complaints from the public is also considered.

Firms will also be marked down if drivers on their books are cautioned or prosecuted for offences such as plying for hire.

The proposals, which are outlined in a report to next week’s council licensing committee, are inspired by the Food Hygiene Ratings given to restaurants and take aways in the city which has seen a rise in standards since they were introduced.

Private hire operators which break regulations or operate illegally already face losing their license and being fined.

But now the rest will be marked out of 45 points and given a rating ranging from the bare minimum ‘licensed’ level through bronze, silver, gold and platinum grades.

Platinum companies will be those who score the maximum 45. The scheme will apply to private hire vehicles, not to black taxis.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/rate-your-taxi-plan-bring-11577659?