Bournemouth 

CONTROVERSIAL plans to lift a cap on the number of cab licences issued in Bournemouth and Poole have passed the final hurdle.

BCP Council approved new taxi policies on Tuesday, despite concerns about the effect they will have on the viability of the profession.

An attempt had been made by some opposition councillors to delay the decision with calls for more information to be provided, but this was defeated.

The policies, which were unanimously approved by the council's licensing committee earlier this month, set out the requirements for taxi drivers operating across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

They include a new white colour scheme and a vehicle age limit.

But the most controversial element is deregulation – the removal of a cap on the number of licences issued – in Bournemouth and Poole. No limit is in place in Christchurch.

The council said this would open up the profession with the council having a waiting list of more than 300 people.

The change is planned to be done over five years with annual increases in numbers to ease the transition.

However, taxi drivers have criticised the move saying it will impact their livelihoods. On Saturday, hundreds gathered in Bournemouth to protest it.

“This decision will impact on the travelling public and on the livelihoods of the many taxi and private hire companies,” Kevin Diffey, the chairman of PRC Streamline Taxis said. “We are horrified at the proposals and frankly scared of the effect it will have on our companies.”

And Paul Sondheim, the treasurer for Bournemouth Station Taxi Association, called on the council to defer the decision due to be made at its full council meeting.

Councillor Vikki Slade proposed the vote be postponed so more information could be provided but her suggestion was defeated in a vote.

It was instead agreed to adopt the policies that had been approved by the licensing committee.

Committee chairman councillor Judy Butt, cited the example of one person who had been on the waiting list for a licence in Bournemouth since 1993.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19119085.taxi-cap-removal-plans-approved-bournemouth-poole/

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The annual Glasgow Taxi Outing to Troon has sadly been postponed for the second time amid the coronavirus crisis.

The event - which sees Glasgow Taxis drivers take vulnerable children and young people from across the city on a day out to the seaside - is usually a highlight of the Glasgow calendar, with many residents turning out to wave them off every summer.

However, having had to move the 2020 outing online because of the covid-19 outbreak, today organisers have confirmed the 2021 and 75th edition will put off until next year.

Stephen Lalley, treasurer for Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund announced: "Unfortunately we have made the decision to postpone the 75th outing to Troon until 2022. It is now scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 15 June, 2022.

"We had reached the point in this year's planning process that requires the booking of equipment and venues etc, as well as enlisting the help of behind the scenes volunteers and the many people who fundraise all year to make the outing possible. We are ever grateful to them.

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-taxi-outing-troon-postponed-19918398

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LONDON

A minicab driver was attacked by robbers who fled in his car before crashing in north west London.

The man, in his fifties, was punched in the face by three passengers through the window of his white Toyota Prius after refusing to take them to their destination.

He managed to get out of his car, but one of the attackers jumped into the driver’s seat at around 3.30am.

The suspect sped off in the Prius down a side road adjacent to Havilland House in Harrow and smashed into another car.

The minicab was driven along Elmgrove Road towards Station Road and abandoned.

Police said the muggers fled on foot with money and a mobile phone on January 28.

Detectives are looking for three black men aged around 20. They wore dark coats, tracksuit bottoms, and two of them wore face masks.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/harrow-taxi-driver-robbed-car-crashed-b921266.html11:35 27/02/2021

HYDE

Dramatic pictures show the moment armed police stormed a property in Hyde after a 'taxi driver was threatened with a gun'.

Pictures show scores of officers who appeared to be armed with guns piling into a house in the Bradley Green Road area on Sunday afternoon.

The response comes after police were called to reports of a taxi driver being threatened with a gun just under two miles from Bradley Green Road.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/armed-police-hyde-taxi-gun-19795345

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Taxi drivers across the Liverpool City region are to get access to an extra £2m of COVID-19 support, taking the total package up to £3.5m.

Established in October last year, the first round of the fund offered £1.5m to licensed taxi drivers in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Halton. This worked out at £100 towards the licence of every driver.

Now the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the six local authorities have agreed to increase the fund to £3.5m. It means drivers who have already received the £100 grant are eligible for an additional grant of £200. And a £200 grant will also be available to drivers who have not yet applied for support.

City region leaders are also continuing to push for the Government to increase the amount of specific financial support they are providing for taxi drivers and other self-employed people and freelancers impacted by the pandemic. Many of them are still not eligible for any of the national support schemes.

The funding will be allocated proportionately to each local authority, according to the number of licensed taxi drivers in their area. For details on how to access the funding, taxi drivers should consult their local licensing authority’s website.

It will enable all of the city region’s local authorities to top up schemes which benefit local taxi drivers in addition to what is available to them through national support schemes, such as SEISS.  In the case of Liverpool City Council, funding will help contribute to their previously-announced scheme.

In a joint statement, the leaders and Acting Mayor of the six city region local authorities, and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, said: “We recognise the hardship experienced by our area’s taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the COVID-19 restrictions.

“We acknowledged when we launched this fund that it was a gesture of support. We know that this additional funding is still largely symbolic but have made it available in recognition of the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

“As the city region’s political leadership, we are continuing to press the Government for financial support packages that work for everyone whose livelihood has been affected by COVID-19 restrictions.”

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DUDLEY

A Refuge dealing with growing levels of domestic abuse across Dudley has been given a welcome boost.

"Lockdown creates the perfect environment for abusers to control their victims,” said Anna Walsh, CEO of the Churches Housing Association Of Dudley and District (CHADD) whose refuge offers safety for 900 people each year, mostly women and children.

West Midlands police recorded 1250 incidences of domestic abuse over the Christmas week, a 60% per cent increase on the previous year.

“The increases in reported incidences shows that people are desperate to escape what could months or years of abuse,” said Anna.

"The donations we get from people who live and work locally help provide clothing, essential toiletries, bedding, towels and food parcels for women who arrive at our Refuge".

And that’s why they were delighted when Netherton taxi firm One 4 You Services ‘dropped off’ a £350 donation.

“We work with young people, the elderly and people with disabilities every day. We wanted to recognise that lockdown is tough for people dealing with domestic violence,” said Abrar Ahmed, one of the owners at the 15 year old taxi and transport business.

“Supporting CHADD is one way we can do that".

https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/19069330.taxi-firms-boost-womens-refuge/

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GLASGOW

A TAXI driver is in hospital after reportedly suffering a heart attack at the wheel, causing him to crash.

The man was taken the Glasgow Royal Infirmary after crashing his car in Acuhentoshan Terrace this morning. His condition is not known. 

One local reported that the driver had suffered a cardiac arrest while driving.

Police would not confirm this but a spokesman for the force said: "We were called around 11.35am on Sunday, February 7, 2021 following the report of a one-vehicle road crash on Auchentoshan Terrace, Glasgow.

"Emergency services attended and a man has been taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary by the Scottish Ambulance Service."

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19071914.glasgow-taxi-driver-hospital-heart-attack-wheel/

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BRIGHTON

 Three taxi drivers in the city have died from coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been revealed.

A number of other Brighton and Hove cab drivers are also currently "suffering" from the virus after testing positive.

The deaths come amid a downfall in takings, with some cabbies in Brighton forced to visit food banks to provide for their families.

Brighton and Hove Taxi Trade Forum Association has called for an "urgent" meeting with the council, amid a "catastrophic downfall of customers".

GMB trade representative Andrew Peters said: “This last year the local trade has faced a catastrophic downfall of customers and most of the licensed drivers and proprietors are only just able to hang on.

“Some may have taken advantage of finance holidays for vehicle loans but this was only for a limited period.

“Conversely, some have had to suffer the indignity of visiting a food bank in order to keep food on their table for their family.

“Along with the main points that must be addressed, the state of the mental health and psychological welfare of the drivers and proprietors cannot be underestimated or overstated.

"Sadly I also have to provide an update that three Brighton and Hove licensed drivers have now died due to the virus with a number of others currently suffering from it having tested positive."

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19054044.coronavirus-three-brighton-hove-taxi-drivers-die/

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ROCHDALE

To claim the Taxi and Hackney Carriage grant:

Complete an application form.

Email your completed application form to external.funding@rochdale.gov.uk. Please put 'TAXI' in the email subject line to ensure your application is prioritised.

Attach to your email a copy of your latest bank statement showing the sort code and account number for the account receiving your grant payment.

Attach to your email photos of the front and back of your Private Hire or Hackney Carriage badge and a photo of your Private Hire or Hackney Carriage driver's licence.

Deadline to claim: 5pm, Friday, 26 February 2021.

http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/coronavirus/Pages/taxi-and-hackney-carriage-grant.aspx

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A taxi driver from Folkestone says cabbies are desperate for vaccine priority - with several falling ill and his best friend now in hospital on life support.

Father-of-three Mr Main Uddin, 44 and also from Folkestone, believes he caught coronavirus from a customer who was coughing persistently during a journey in mid-January.

After developing symptoms himself, Main was tested and received a positive result on January 23.

His condition deteriorated quickly and best friend and fellow taxi driver Usman Sabir told KentLive that by January 27 he was coughing up blood.

He is adamant that Mr Uddin, who used to run the Green Spice restaurant in Sandgate, has no underlying health problems.

Mr Uddin's condition has now worsened further, and he was placed on a ventilator soon after arriving at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

On Friday (January 29) he was transferred to St Thomas Hospital in London so that he could be moved onto an ECMO machine - an advanced form of life support reserved for only young, very sick COVID-19 patients.

https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/folkestone-taxi-driver-44-life-4959057

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COVENTRY

An Uber driver has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years after raping a drunk student who he was giving a lift home after a night out.

Naiem Suleman, 52, attacked the woman after she became separated from her friends in the early hours of 19 January 2019 in Coventry.

He picked up the 22-year-old woman and offered to drive her home, but drove her to a secluded spot where he raped her before dumping her outside her flat.

A court heard Suleman also infected the woman with a sexually transmitted disease.

The woman’s housemates found her in a distressed state and she was wearing Suleman’s work jacket bearing the logo of the company he worked for.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/uber-delivery-driver-raped-drunk-student-good-samaritan-115233075.html