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