STOCKPORT
One person was taken to hospital and three other 'walking wounded' were treated by paramedics following a crash between an Audi and a taxi in Stockport.
Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene following the smash at the junction of Kingsway and Gatley Road in Cheadle at about 9.25pm on Sunday.
Pictures show the badly damaged Audi in among a group of trees having apparently knocked down a control box for the nearby traffic lights.
A silver Mercedes taxi could be seen at the crossroads and debris was scattered across the dual carriageway.
----------------------------------------------------------
NORTHERN IRELAND
The criteria for a COVID-19 support payment for taxi drivers should be changed urgently so all drivers can receive the support they need, Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has said.
She continued: "At a special meeting of the Infrastructure Committee today we heard directly from taxi drivers about the extreme financial pressure they are under and the urgent need to get support.
"Representatives from the industry set out clearly how some drivers were forced to suspend their taxi insurance in order to have money to be able to put food on the table to feed their families. The choice was that stark.
"It doesn't make sense that they should now be denied the COVID-19 support grant from the Department of Infrastructure for making that choice.
"The fact that the drivers who are most in need are being denied this payment is totally at odds with the concept of the rationale for the grant.
"The criteria needs to be changed urgently so money can get into the pockets of taxi drivers who need it most."
---------------------------------------------
SEFTON
Sefton’s licensed black cab and private hire drivers are set to receive a cash boost after losing income due to Covid-19.
More than 4,000 drivers will be eligible for a £100 support grant from today (November 30).
Drivers who are eligible will receive a letter sent to their home address containing details of how to access the grant.
Once approved, the drivers will receive their grant within five working days
The total cost, £400,000, will be covered by Liverpool City Region funding.
In a joint statement the leaders and mayors of the Liverpool City Region said: “We recognise the hardship experienced by our area’s taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the coronavirus restrictions.
“As leaders and mayors, we are continuing to press the Government for financial support packages that work for everyone who has seen their livelihood affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/sefton-taxi-private-hire-drivers-19372384
