A Blackpool taxi driver, who 'persistently failed' to keep his vehicles in a good condition, has lost his appeal to keep his licences.

Steven Lewis, of Plymouth Road in Blackpool, had his Hackney carriage licences revoked by Blackpool Council's public protection committee between February and April 2019.

The 64-year-old appealed the decision at the magistrates' court but on August 21 later that year, his appeal was formally dismissed.

Mr Lewis, not satisfied with the decision, then appealed to the crown court, saying that the committee and the magistrates were wrong and asking the crown court to give him a lesser sanction.

However, on Friday last week (February 21) the Court dismissed his appeal, confirming that the licensing committee and later Magistrates’ decisions were correct.

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpool-taxi-driver-loses-appeal-17813700


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The London Mayor has announced that the 9,000 electric taxi target by the end of the year is ‘no longer relevant’.

The minimum 9,000 Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) taxi marker was seen as the goal for officials at City Hall, when the first electric taxi entered the market in January 2018.The London Mayor has announced that the 9,000 electric taxi target by the end of the year is ‘no longer relevant’.

Two years on, over 3,000 drivers have invested more than £180million to make the move to the greener vehicles.

Since the launch of the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) TX electric taxi, cabbies have been making a significant contribution to improving the air quality in the capital and other UK cities.

According to LEVC, 30,000 tonnes of CO2 has been prevented from entering the atmosphere – the same as 1,785 return flights from London to Melbourne.

A further pure electric taxi option, the Nissan Dynamo, has recently been introduced to the travelling public.

It is however, extremely unlikely sales will reach 9,000 by the end of 2020.

In response to a question put forward by Florence Eshalomi AM, the London Mayor blamed the previous administration for setting the 9,000 target. He later labelled the target ‘no longer relevant’ since Transport for London (TfL) reduced the age limits on older diesel taxis.

The reduction in age limits, dropping to twelve years from the original fifteen, has caused residual values of the London taxi fleet to drop by an estimated £50million.

Florence Eshalomi, a Labour London Assembly Member, asked the London Mayor whether he expected to meet his target of 9,000 ZEC taxis in London by the end of 2020.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, responded to the written question on 14 February, saying: “The target of 9,000 Zero Emissions Capable (ZEC) taxis by 2020 was set by the previous administration to reduce emissions from taxis.

“It is no longer relevant because TfL has consulted on and is implementing changes to the age limit for Euro 3, 4 and 5 diesel taxis.

“I am delighted there are now two ZEC taxi models following the launch of the new all-electric Dynamo Taxi in October. As of 6 November 2019, TfL had licensed 3,215 ZEC taxis and I am determined to help more black cab drivers make the switch. This includes providing rapid charge points, delicensing payments of up to £10,000 and supporting a £7,500 grant towards the purchase of a new ZEC taxi.”

SRC- Taxipoint
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A taxi licensing shake-up was signed off by North Tyneside Council on Monday with changes to encourage zero-emission vehicles

Would-be taxi drivers will have to scrap ageing vehicles and face up to mandatory criminal record checks as a proposed licensing shake-up was given the green light.

This means from April 2022 no new licences will be granted in North Tyneside for vehicles more than four years old.

Meanwhile, existing licences will require a vehicle less than eight years old for any future renewals in 2024

Electric and zero-emission vehicles will be exempt from these age standards.

Other key changes will see the introduction of online applications and mandatory sign ups to the DBS update service.

The authority currently licenses around 183 taxis, 1,030 Private Hire Vehicles, 1,097 drivers and 23 operators in the borough.

North Tyneside Council says the proposals aim to ensure the safety and welfare of the public, encourage environmental sustainability and ensure efficient taxi and private hire services in the borough.

Following an eight-week consultation where almost 100 local drivers, residents and businesses shared their views on the revised policy, the plans were approved by cabinet on Monday.

This comes after North Tyneside Council voted to join Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead and Sunderland in declaring a climate emergency in July.

The authority is currently pressing on with its commitment to half its carbon footprint by 2027 and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/taxi-licensing-north-tyneside-drivers-17819209
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