A taxi driver has been caught speeding in excess of 90mph on the M65 despite a downpour of rain.
The motorist had two fares in the back of the vehicle while reaching a speed of 92mph in Burnley.

Police have today (June 30) slammed the driver for the 'disgraceful' incident, pointing out he already had ten points on his licence for speeding offences.

Officers said he had 'not learnt' his lesson and reported him for summons.

A spokesperson for Lancs Road Police said: "This taxi was stopped in Burnley having been followed doing 92mph on the M65 in the rain.

"Disgracefully he had two fares in the back and to make things worse he already has 10 points for speeding offences!

"Lesson clearly not learned so reported for summons."

https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/taxi-driver-10-points-licence-18514664

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WOKINGHAM

A taxi cab boss has been seeking support for taxi drivers in Wokingham after the council closed taxi ranks and parking bays, following the announcement of shops reopening. 

Muhammad Arshad, Chairman of the Wokingham Borough Hackney Drivers Association, has been speaking to the council for weeks, seeking support for the local taxi industry, which has been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

In an email, Mr Arshad said to the Wokingham Borough Council: "As the shops are being opened and life is just about to be normalised, our only official taxi rank in Wokingham broad street has been closed, without us being notified and no alternative provided. This means we cannot resume work even if we want to. 

"Please note that not all the taxi drivers are permitted to work at Wokingham Station, as it needs a separate permit from South West Trains."

Peter Baveystock of the Wokingham Borough Council said in response: "The taxi ranks (and parking bays) in Broad Street are currently suspended under an emergency Section 14(2) Order to enable social distancing measures to be implemented.

 

"We have had to close these ranks (and other bays) under this Order to meet the Government requirement for implementing temporary footway extension measures in time for the relaxation on non-essential retail business operations.

www.bracknellnews.co.uk 

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Licensing bosses in Wolverhampton are preparing to approve the £49,000 register, which will enable all drivers, operators and proprietors of private hire and hackney cabs licensed by the council to provide up-to-date information records.

 
Private hire taxi drivers in the city hit out at the council this week after fitting plastic screens in their cars to protect against coronavirus – which licensing chiefs then made them remove, as prior permission had not been sought.

 
The ‘My Driver Portal’ will enable all drivers to record criminal/motoring convictions or cautions; changes in name, address or contact details; changes in private hire operator; changes of driver if the vehicle is licensed by a hire company, and any road traffic accidents.

 
In a report to the council, Licensing Section Leader Lorraine Jones said: "When a driver has a change in circumstances they are required to inform us in writing as part of the conditions of their licence.

"It is important to ensure that records are kept up to date in order to be able to contact the relevant and correct driver/proprietor or operator in the event of a circumstance or allegation that requires immediate action to be undertaken by licensing services.

"The portal was created as a self-help function for drivers to maintain their records online and ensure they are kept up to date as per the conditions of the licence issued. 

"Traditionally this would be a paper record, but as we are working totally electronically, it was a natural step for the register to be electronic. It also makes the register more easily accessible. 

"The introduction of an online portal provides easier access to the information held against licence holders and the ability for licence holders to instantly update the information themselves,” she added. 

Access to the driver portal will be secure and require an email address specific to each driver, proprietor or operator.

 
The facility – obtained from software suppliers Idox for a one-off payment – will also include news feeds, announcements and advertisements for relative issues including insurance, replacement car hire, repairs, tyres and valeting.

 
There is also a potential for the council to stream income from the advertisement function.

The council’s Non-Statutory Licensing Committee will discuss the new online portal next Wednesday.

 

www.expressandstar.com