Royston Smith Conservative, Southampton, Itchen
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce air pollution in Southampton.
(Citation: HC Deb, 5 November 2019, cW)
Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
On 19 March 2019, Southampton City Council was directed to implement a plan for
NO2 compliance as part of the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations 2017.
Under this direction, the local authority was directed to implement a number of measures to ensure compliance with the legal limit value for NO2, in the shortest possible time. These include:
A taxi licensing condition to require a minimum euro 6 diesel/euro 4 petrol for newly licensed vehicles by 2023
An expansion of the low emission taxi incentive for Southampton licensed taxis
Electric vehicle charge points
Ultra Low Emission Vehicle taxis trials for Southampton licenced taxis
A bus lane restriction for non-Southampton vehicles
A city centre euro 6 bus traffic condition
A behavioural change campaign to promote active and sustainable travel
Freight consolidation centre for Heavy Goods Vehicles operators in Southampton
The Government has provided funding to Southampton of over £1.4 million to support the introduction of these measures.
Our officials have ongoing engagement with Southampton to monitor implementation of these measures and their impact.
Sunday, 8 December 2019
Pendle Council has won in court at three separate hearings where taxi drivers appealing against council decisions lost and Council decisions were upheld by the judges and a driver was prosecuted for overcharging a customer.
Khadim Hussain was refused a hackney carriage taxi driver’s licence following an argument with a female passenger.
When she got out of the taxi and noted down his details, he drove forward and ran into her.
Pendle Council revoked his licence and when he made a new application the Council refused it.
The judge said that refusal was “the proper approach” as what the driver had done was “reckless and could have caused serious injury”.
Another driver, Mohammed Haroon Bashir was refused a driver’s licence as he had multiple convictions.
The judge refused his appeal and he was ordered to pay £50 in costs.
A third driver, Altaf Ahmed, pleaded guilty to twice overcharging a woman with her husband who uses a wheelchair.
Ahmed was fined £290 for each offence and ordered to pay £100 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Philip Mousdale said: “We work hard to make sure Pendle taxis are safe and we are urging people to take care.
“Now the festive season is here, we’re reminding people not to risk their safety by using taxis or private hire vehicles that are unlicensed.
“Unlicensed taxis are not insured to carry paying passengers,” he warned.
“And because they have not been examined by the Council, there are no assurances about the safety or road worthiness of these vehicles,” he warned.
Passengers can ask the driver to show their identity badge with their photo and Pendle Council logo on it.
Licensed private hire vehicles display a blue licence plate on the back of the vehicle together with the operator’s trading name on the front doors of the vehicle.
The licence plates also display the Council logo, the licence registration number of the taxi and vehicle details.
Philip added:
“Don’t get into any vehicle that is parked on the street or outside a pub other than a taxi parked on a taxi rank.
“If a vehicle is not displaying licence plates or their details do not match the vehicle, do not use it,” he said.
“If the taxi driver cannot show you his driver’s badge, do not use the vehicle and inform the Council’s Licensing Team on (01282) 661638 or contact the Police as soon as possible.
“At this time of year Pendle Council and the Police also remind passengers to show consideration and respect towards our taxi drivers. They do have a hard job,” added Philip.
“Pendle has a taxi pre-payment scheme in force and you may be asked to pay your fare upfront.
“This is to discourage arguments over fares or customers making off without paying,” he explained.
“Don’t forget our taxi drivers are there to get you home safely.
“Anyone assaulting a taxi driver, being racially abusive or causing damage to a taxi will be prosecuted,” he warned.
-----------------------------------------------
GUILDFORD
A hackney carriage driver has had their appeal against the Council's decision to revoke their driver's licence dismissed by Guildford Magistrates' Court.
The Council revoked the driver's licence in July 2019 for a number of reasons, including not having a valid MOT for their vehicle, lack of vehicle maintenance, false declaration, non-compliance with licensing conditions and failure to comply with a statutory notice to return their licence plates. The Council also received a number of complaints about their standard of driving.
The driver appealed the decision but failed to comply with the directions of the Court and serve evidence. At a hearing at Guildford Magistrates' Court on 4 December, a Judge refused the driver's application to adjourn the appeal, and as the driver had presented no evidence, dismissed the appeal. The driver was also ordered to pay the Council's costs of £2,137.
Mike Smith, Licensing Team Leader at Guildford Borough Council, says: "We are pleased that the court dismissed this appeal. We do not take the decision to revoke a licence lightly, but we have a duty to protect public safety and ensure that residents, visitors and those who work in the borough can be confident when they take one of our licensed taxis that their journey will be safe and secure.
"If you are enjoying a night out with friends and family this Christmas, take one of our licensed taxis from a rank or book a private hire vehicle through a Guildford licensed operator to help you get home safely. Guildford taxis and private hire vehicles are easy to recognise with their distinctive teal colour vehicle or door sticker, so you can be confident you are taking a properly licensed, safe vehicle this festive season.
"In order to ensure that the public receive the best possible service, all taxis are fitted with meters and accept card payments so you can be confident you will charged fairly and can pay conveniently. However if you do have any comments about the standards, then please let us know by using our complain about a taxi driver or taxi company online form. Please make sure you quote the licence number of the vehicle."
Guildford town centre has recently been awarded Purple Flag status for the sixth time for providing evenings and nights out that are safe, vibrant and varied. It remains the only town in the county, and one of around 70 in the UK, to hold the award. The taxi trade helps contribute to a safe night out in Guildford.
--------------------------------------
Aylesford, Kent
A rider who fell on the road after a driver “crashed” his taxi into her, claiming he could not see because of the low sun, has urged motorists to be more aware on country lanes.
Donna Hooper was riding livery yard owner Tracey Giles’s 14.2hh cob Mickey at Rochester Road in Aylesford, Kent, on 2 December when a taxi minibus approached from behind.
“I felt something brush against me and then the wing mirror crashed into my ribs and my stirrup leather came off. The driver didn’t slow down, it all happened so quickly,” Donna told H&H.
“Mickey jumped forward, bucked and I landed on the road. Mickey trotted off towards the yard which was 200 yards away.”
Donna, who was wearing high-vis, said the taxi stopped ahead and turned round.
“The driver said he couldn’t see us because of the sun, but I said if ‘you couldn’t see then why were you driving so fast?’,” she said.
“He was apologetic and said he ‘loved horses’, but that doesn’t change the fact he was still going too quickly and hit us. If he had been a foot to the left he would have crashed straight into the back of us.”
Donna suffered bruising in the incident but Mickey was not injured.
“If Mickey was a bigger horse things could have been different but luckily the van just brushed against him,” she said.
“It has really frightened me and put me off riding on the road, but we need to use it to get to a bridleway. As riders we wear high-vis and I always thank drivers when they slow down but I don’t know what else we can do.”
Donna reported the incident to the police and the BHS.
“People need to be more aware – just because it’s a national speed limit road it doesn’t mean they should drive that fast especially if they can’t see,” she said.
“I plan to speak to the council and want to look at having the speed limited lowered on that stretch of road. There’s lots of livery yards nearby – does someone need to be killed on the road for something to be done?”
A spokesman for Kent Police told H&H no further action had been taken and the incident was dealt with as a civil matter.
Khadim Hussain was refused a hackney carriage taxi driver’s licence following an argument with a female passenger.
When she got out of the taxi and noted down his details, he drove forward and ran into her.
Pendle Council revoked his licence and when he made a new application the Council refused it.
The judge said that refusal was “the proper approach” as what the driver had done was “reckless and could have caused serious injury”.
Another driver, Mohammed Haroon Bashir was refused a driver’s licence as he had multiple convictions.
The judge refused his appeal and he was ordered to pay £50 in costs.
A third driver, Altaf Ahmed, pleaded guilty to twice overcharging a woman with her husband who uses a wheelchair.
Ahmed was fined £290 for each offence and ordered to pay £100 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Philip Mousdale said: “We work hard to make sure Pendle taxis are safe and we are urging people to take care.
“Now the festive season is here, we’re reminding people not to risk their safety by using taxis or private hire vehicles that are unlicensed.
“Unlicensed taxis are not insured to carry paying passengers,” he warned.
“And because they have not been examined by the Council, there are no assurances about the safety or road worthiness of these vehicles,” he warned.
Passengers can ask the driver to show their identity badge with their photo and Pendle Council logo on it.
Licensed private hire vehicles display a blue licence plate on the back of the vehicle together with the operator’s trading name on the front doors of the vehicle.
The licence plates also display the Council logo, the licence registration number of the taxi and vehicle details.
Philip added:
“Don’t get into any vehicle that is parked on the street or outside a pub other than a taxi parked on a taxi rank.
“If a vehicle is not displaying licence plates or their details do not match the vehicle, do not use it,” he said.
“If the taxi driver cannot show you his driver’s badge, do not use the vehicle and inform the Council’s Licensing Team on (01282) 661638 or contact the Police as soon as possible.
“At this time of year Pendle Council and the Police also remind passengers to show consideration and respect towards our taxi drivers. They do have a hard job,” added Philip.
“Pendle has a taxi pre-payment scheme in force and you may be asked to pay your fare upfront.
“This is to discourage arguments over fares or customers making off without paying,” he explained.
“Don’t forget our taxi drivers are there to get you home safely.
“Anyone assaulting a taxi driver, being racially abusive or causing damage to a taxi will be prosecuted,” he warned.
-----------------------------------------------
GUILDFORD
A hackney carriage driver has had their appeal against the Council's decision to revoke their driver's licence dismissed by Guildford Magistrates' Court.
The Council revoked the driver's licence in July 2019 for a number of reasons, including not having a valid MOT for their vehicle, lack of vehicle maintenance, false declaration, non-compliance with licensing conditions and failure to comply with a statutory notice to return their licence plates. The Council also received a number of complaints about their standard of driving.
The driver appealed the decision but failed to comply with the directions of the Court and serve evidence. At a hearing at Guildford Magistrates' Court on 4 December, a Judge refused the driver's application to adjourn the appeal, and as the driver had presented no evidence, dismissed the appeal. The driver was also ordered to pay the Council's costs of £2,137.
Mike Smith, Licensing Team Leader at Guildford Borough Council, says: "We are pleased that the court dismissed this appeal. We do not take the decision to revoke a licence lightly, but we have a duty to protect public safety and ensure that residents, visitors and those who work in the borough can be confident when they take one of our licensed taxis that their journey will be safe and secure.
"If you are enjoying a night out with friends and family this Christmas, take one of our licensed taxis from a rank or book a private hire vehicle through a Guildford licensed operator to help you get home safely. Guildford taxis and private hire vehicles are easy to recognise with their distinctive teal colour vehicle or door sticker, so you can be confident you are taking a properly licensed, safe vehicle this festive season.
"In order to ensure that the public receive the best possible service, all taxis are fitted with meters and accept card payments so you can be confident you will charged fairly and can pay conveniently. However if you do have any comments about the standards, then please let us know by using our complain about a taxi driver or taxi company online form. Please make sure you quote the licence number of the vehicle."
Guildford town centre has recently been awarded Purple Flag status for the sixth time for providing evenings and nights out that are safe, vibrant and varied. It remains the only town in the county, and one of around 70 in the UK, to hold the award. The taxi trade helps contribute to a safe night out in Guildford.
--------------------------------------
Aylesford, Kent
A rider who fell on the road after a driver “crashed” his taxi into her, claiming he could not see because of the low sun, has urged motorists to be more aware on country lanes.
Donna Hooper was riding livery yard owner Tracey Giles’s 14.2hh cob Mickey at Rochester Road in Aylesford, Kent, on 2 December when a taxi minibus approached from behind.
“I felt something brush against me and then the wing mirror crashed into my ribs and my stirrup leather came off. The driver didn’t slow down, it all happened so quickly,” Donna told H&H.
“Mickey jumped forward, bucked and I landed on the road. Mickey trotted off towards the yard which was 200 yards away.”
Donna, who was wearing high-vis, said the taxi stopped ahead and turned round.
“The driver said he couldn’t see us because of the sun, but I said if ‘you couldn’t see then why were you driving so fast?’,” she said.
“He was apologetic and said he ‘loved horses’, but that doesn’t change the fact he was still going too quickly and hit us. If he had been a foot to the left he would have crashed straight into the back of us.”
Donna suffered bruising in the incident but Mickey was not injured.
“If Mickey was a bigger horse things could have been different but luckily the van just brushed against him,” she said.
“It has really frightened me and put me off riding on the road, but we need to use it to get to a bridleway. As riders we wear high-vis and I always thank drivers when they slow down but I don’t know what else we can do.”
Donna reported the incident to the police and the BHS.
“People need to be more aware – just because it’s a national speed limit road it doesn’t mean they should drive that fast especially if they can’t see,” she said.
“I plan to speak to the council and want to look at having the speed limited lowered on that stretch of road. There’s lots of livery yards nearby – does someone need to be killed on the road for something to be done?”
A spokesman for Kent Police told H&H no further action had been taken and the incident was dealt with as a civil matter.
Saturday, 7 December 2019
LEEDS
Just 30 taxi drivers have received loans from a scheme set up to help them buy greener vehicles in the eight months since it launched.
Over 2,000 Leeds cabbies have applied for help to buy cars exempt from upcoming clean air zone (CAZ) charges.
But most have waited months for a decision and believe the council cannot cope with the volume of applicants.
Leeds City Council said it had to be responsible with public money and "due diligence takes time".
The CAZ was originally due to come into effect by January 2020 but has been delayed until July at the earliest.
Certain vehicles entering the city centre would have to pay a charge under the scheme.
'On track'
The government gave the council £29m to implement the zone, with £23m earmarked to help businesses adapt and get greener vehicles.
From 1 April, taxi and private hire drivers in the city were invited to apply for interest-free loans of up to £10,000 or non-repayable grants worth up to £1,500.
By June, two months after launching the scheme, the authority's documents showed it had received more than 2,000 applications.
Documents seen by the BBC suggested the government had instructed the council to reach a decision on these by September.
But by that time, according to a council report, just £20,000 had been paid out in loans, while grants worth £55,000 had been awarded.
At the end of November, according to documents seen by the BBC, just 19 loans had been paid out.
The most recent figures show 30 loans have been paid, and a further 69 provisionally approved, the council said.
Despite this, the authority said it was "on track to process every pending application within the next two months".
A spokesman said the council expected to have paid "in the region" of 350 loans once all remaining applications had been processed.
The scheme would remain open "until the end of 2020 or until funding runs out", he said.
-----------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Taxi and private hire drivers could soon be randomly drug tested amid concern about some drivers using cocaine and cannabis.
Members of Liverpool Council's licensing committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10 to give final approval to the plans, which would also see "intelligence-led" testing used on drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs while driving.
Across the whole of Merseyside, police arrested 114 licensed drivers on suspicion of drug driving in the 12 months from May 1, 2018 to May 1, 2019.
Councillors expressed strong backing for the plans when moving them into a consultation phase earlier this year.
A consultation with drivers and found that most who responded "overwhelmingly support" the introduction of drug tests in the city.
The draft testing policy says that "a very small minority of these drivers use illegal drugs such as cocaine and cannabis on a recreational basis or as habitual users".
The policy states: "The City Council views such drug use as being completely incompatible with being a fit and proper person to be entrusted with the safe carriage of the general public, in addition to the obvious dangers presented to other road users by such licensed drivers.
"This policy, therefore, aims to establish procedures to allow for random and intelligence-led drugs testing of licensed drivers, with the intention of both detecting drivers who use illegal drugs and deterring such persons from continuing to use drugs."
Liverpool's move would see randomised testing of current taxi drivers - and the potential for new applicants, or taxi drivers renewing their licence, to be requested to take a test if they have a conviction or caution for drug-related offences in the past three years.
There would also be so-called 'intelligence-led' testing to allow the council to request a driver take a test if there are 'credible reasons' to suspect a driver may use illegal drugs.
The tests would be administered by specialist company Alpha BioLabs.
A representative for the company told the council in August that their processes were designed to prevent any attempts to tamper with tests or allow people to provide false samples.
Councillors say other local authorities in the region will need to follow suit to tackle the issue effectively.
At an August licence meeting, councillor Roy Gladden said: "The reason we are looking at a policy for this is because of the drug problems we have with some drivers.
"Under our system there are drivers from other authorities driving in our area.
"I need something from this committee to go to the city region so that we can keep raising this with other boroughs."
Liverpool Echo
Just 30 taxi drivers have received loans from a scheme set up to help them buy greener vehicles in the eight months since it launched.
Over 2,000 Leeds cabbies have applied for help to buy cars exempt from upcoming clean air zone (CAZ) charges.
But most have waited months for a decision and believe the council cannot cope with the volume of applicants.
Leeds City Council said it had to be responsible with public money and "due diligence takes time".
The CAZ was originally due to come into effect by January 2020 but has been delayed until July at the earliest.
Certain vehicles entering the city centre would have to pay a charge under the scheme.
'On track'
The government gave the council £29m to implement the zone, with £23m earmarked to help businesses adapt and get greener vehicles.
From 1 April, taxi and private hire drivers in the city were invited to apply for interest-free loans of up to £10,000 or non-repayable grants worth up to £1,500.
By June, two months after launching the scheme, the authority's documents showed it had received more than 2,000 applications.
Documents seen by the BBC suggested the government had instructed the council to reach a decision on these by September.
But by that time, according to a council report, just £20,000 had been paid out in loans, while grants worth £55,000 had been awarded.
At the end of November, according to documents seen by the BBC, just 19 loans had been paid out.
The most recent figures show 30 loans have been paid, and a further 69 provisionally approved, the council said.
Despite this, the authority said it was "on track to process every pending application within the next two months".
A spokesman said the council expected to have paid "in the region" of 350 loans once all remaining applications had been processed.
The scheme would remain open "until the end of 2020 or until funding runs out", he said.
-----------------------------------
LIVERPOOL
Taxi and private hire drivers could soon be randomly drug tested amid concern about some drivers using cocaine and cannabis.
Members of Liverpool Council's licensing committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10 to give final approval to the plans, which would also see "intelligence-led" testing used on drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs while driving.
Across the whole of Merseyside, police arrested 114 licensed drivers on suspicion of drug driving in the 12 months from May 1, 2018 to May 1, 2019.
Councillors expressed strong backing for the plans when moving them into a consultation phase earlier this year.
A consultation with drivers and found that most who responded "overwhelmingly support" the introduction of drug tests in the city.
The draft testing policy says that "a very small minority of these drivers use illegal drugs such as cocaine and cannabis on a recreational basis or as habitual users".
The policy states: "The City Council views such drug use as being completely incompatible with being a fit and proper person to be entrusted with the safe carriage of the general public, in addition to the obvious dangers presented to other road users by such licensed drivers.
"This policy, therefore, aims to establish procedures to allow for random and intelligence-led drugs testing of licensed drivers, with the intention of both detecting drivers who use illegal drugs and deterring such persons from continuing to use drugs."
Liverpool's move would see randomised testing of current taxi drivers - and the potential for new applicants, or taxi drivers renewing their licence, to be requested to take a test if they have a conviction or caution for drug-related offences in the past three years.
There would also be so-called 'intelligence-led' testing to allow the council to request a driver take a test if there are 'credible reasons' to suspect a driver may use illegal drugs.
The tests would be administered by specialist company Alpha BioLabs.
A representative for the company told the council in August that their processes were designed to prevent any attempts to tamper with tests or allow people to provide false samples.
Councillors say other local authorities in the region will need to follow suit to tackle the issue effectively.
At an August licence meeting, councillor Roy Gladden said: "The reason we are looking at a policy for this is because of the drug problems we have with some drivers.
"Under our system there are drivers from other authorities driving in our area.
"I need something from this committee to go to the city region so that we can keep raising this with other boroughs."
Liverpool Echo
Thursday, 5 December 2019
TAXI driver was stabbed in the shoulder after an attempted robbery at a Darwen petrol station.
The taxi driver from Chippy’s Taxis was later taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital and is now recovering at home but he is said to be in a state of shock.
Police are now linking three incidents which happened yesterday morning.
There were several police vehicles and the police helicopter scrambled as officers tried to track down the offender.
A man aged 28 and from Liverpool was arrested a short time later on suspicion robbery, criminal damage and assault. He remains in custody.
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------
Taxis in Bury could be allowed to remove their front licence plate, in a bid to prevent them from being attacked by vandals.
Bury Council is considering whether to change its rules on number plates to protect passengers and drivers.
Cabbies have been lobbying the council to remove the requirement for a front licence plate on private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.
This comes after drivers told councillors of attackers targeting taxis and of one case in which yobs threw stones through a window, narrowly missing a man’s head.
Cllr Tahir Rafiq, who chairs the licensing and safety panel, said the move has been proposed for the “betterment” of the taxi drivers and their passengers.
He said: “I consider the safety of both the public and the drivers just as important as each other. Everybody should be able to work in a safe environment.
“Hence why we are looking into this. The safety of both drivers and the public is paramount.”
The proposal comes after one cabbie told councillors of an incident which he believes could have been avoided if the rules were different.
In October, Usman Tariq had been working in Prospect Street, Heywood, when a brick was thrown through his back window littering the passenger seats with broken glass.
He said: “It didn’t frighten me but it was only a one foot gap from maybe hitting me in the head.”
Drivers warned private hire vehicles and taxis are regularly targeted by gangs of vandals who throw bricks and other projectiles.
They called on the local authority to change current rules which they claim enable the thugs to spot taxis from a distance.
-----------------------------------------------
BRIGHTON
Taxi drivers have expressed concern over changes to Brighton Station’s taxi rank which came into force earlier in the month.
Previously situated at the front of Brighton Station, the rank was moved to Stroudley Road – behind the station – on November 11.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said the move will improve traffic flow and congestion, especially around Surrey Street, enable quicker access to the A270 and A23 and provide more space for taxis.
The move is intended to clear space for a new-look entrance and GTR says this will allow the taxi rank to remain open on event days such as Brighton Pride and Albion match days.
However, taxi drivers say they have experienced declining customer numbers, congestion, and issues with closure of the rank during the operation of rail replacement buses.
Rahim Fazel, who has been a taxi driver for 17 years, said: “To be honest, it’s costing people more money. I don’t mind, but the customer is not happy. During rail replacement, children and old ladies have to walk in the rain with luggage and have to walk further.”
Andrew Peters, secretary of GMB Brighton and Hove Taxi section, said that GMB members ‘were shocked to be told that the rank would be completely shut when the rail replacement buses are used’ saying this could affect ‘lone women and wheelchair users’.
Mr Peters said he has started a petition to campaign against the changes.
www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk
CEO Di Powell said: "Our street team ambassadors play an integral role in supporting our businesses during the day, but we want to ensure we’re also supporting and doing our bit for businesses who operate in the evenings.
"We have more than 30 businesses who operate in the night-time economy, making Swindon a vibrant destination in the evenings but we’re wanting to ensure it’s a safe destination for everyone to enjoy.
The taxi marshals ensure visitors can find a licensed taxi, are fit to travel and can pay taxi fare. They give priority service to vulnerable people and liaise with the police to help crack down on anti-social behaviour.
"The marshals are able to reassure people that they will be able to find a licensed taxi in a controlled queue, assisting in preventing anti-social behaviour, improving the safety of vulnerable persons and dealing with confrontational situations.”
Police cordoned off the Shell garage in Blackburn Road this morning after the incident started at 4.30am.
The man, in his 50s and named locally as Bernard Golding, was at the station paying for petrol when he was stabbed from behind.
Police are now linking three incidents which happened yesterday morning.
They received reports of an attempted robbery at the garage where a man entered with a knife and threatened a cashier.
There was also the attack on the taxi driver and then at 4.55am reports of an attempted break-in in Hawkshaw Avenue, when a window was smashed and somebody had been seen acting suspiciously close by.
Detective Inspector Scott Waddington said: “One man has suffered a serious injury, while several other people have been left extremely shaken by this morning’s events. We also know this will have been concerning for members of the public.
“Somebody is now in custody and are enquiries are very much ongoing to establish exactly what occurred. In the meantime we will have extra patrols in the area and anybody with concerns is welcome to speak to an officer.
“As part of our enquiries we are now appealing for information from the public and would like to speak to anyone who saw all or part of any of these incidents, or was in the area at around the same time and saw something that seemed suspicious.
“We’d also ask people to get in touch with us if they have dashcam or CCTV footage which may show something useful.”
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
----------------------------------------------------------
Taxis in Bury could be allowed to remove their front licence plate, in a bid to prevent them from being attacked by vandals.
Bury Council is considering whether to change its rules on number plates to protect passengers and drivers.
Cabbies have been lobbying the council to remove the requirement for a front licence plate on private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.
This comes after drivers told councillors of attackers targeting taxis and of one case in which yobs threw stones through a window, narrowly missing a man’s head.
Cllr Tahir Rafiq, who chairs the licensing and safety panel, said the move has been proposed for the “betterment” of the taxi drivers and their passengers.
He said: “I consider the safety of both the public and the drivers just as important as each other. Everybody should be able to work in a safe environment.
“Hence why we are looking into this. The safety of both drivers and the public is paramount.”
The proposal comes after one cabbie told councillors of an incident which he believes could have been avoided if the rules were different.
In October, Usman Tariq had been working in Prospect Street, Heywood, when a brick was thrown through his back window littering the passenger seats with broken glass.
He said: “It didn’t frighten me but it was only a one foot gap from maybe hitting me in the head.”
Drivers warned private hire vehicles and taxis are regularly targeted by gangs of vandals who throw bricks and other projectiles.
They called on the local authority to change current rules which they claim enable the thugs to spot taxis from a distance.
-----------------------------------------------
BRIGHTON
Taxi drivers have expressed concern over changes to Brighton Station’s taxi rank which came into force earlier in the month.
Previously situated at the front of Brighton Station, the rank was moved to Stroudley Road – behind the station – on November 11.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said the move will improve traffic flow and congestion, especially around Surrey Street, enable quicker access to the A270 and A23 and provide more space for taxis.
The move is intended to clear space for a new-look entrance and GTR says this will allow the taxi rank to remain open on event days such as Brighton Pride and Albion match days.
However, taxi drivers say they have experienced declining customer numbers, congestion, and issues with closure of the rank during the operation of rail replacement buses.
Rahim Fazel, who has been a taxi driver for 17 years, said: “To be honest, it’s costing people more money. I don’t mind, but the customer is not happy. During rail replacement, children and old ladies have to walk in the rain with luggage and have to walk further.”
Andrew Peters, secretary of GMB Brighton and Hove Taxi section, said that GMB members ‘were shocked to be told that the rank would be completely shut when the rail replacement buses are used’ saying this could affect ‘lone women and wheelchair users’.
Mr Peters said he has started a petition to campaign against the changes.
www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk
----------------------------------------------
SWINDON
TAXI marshals will help keep revellers safe in the town centre over Christmas.
inSwindon BID has employed them to work on Saturday evenings from 11pm to 4am and ensure people get home safely.
"We have more than 30 businesses who operate in the night-time economy, making Swindon a vibrant destination in the evenings but we’re wanting to ensure it’s a safe destination for everyone to enjoy.
"Taxi marshals can assist in supporting the venues with people leaving their premises in an orderly fashion, and by doing so, reduce the impact of noise and other anti-social behaviour to residents living nearby whilst ensuring people get home safely."
They work with police and patrol the area from John Street in fluorescent jackets.
The taxi marshals ensure visitors can find a licensed taxi, are fit to travel and can pay taxi fare. They give priority service to vulnerable people and liaise with the police to help crack down on anti-social behaviour.
PC Paul Bezzant,of the Swindon South Community Policing Team said: “Crime and anti-social behaviour in Swindon is relatively low and that is helped by our work with partners and schemes like this one.
"It's our commitment to keep the town a safe and pleasant place to go out and socialise within.
Justin Britchford, Manager at MECA and Chair of PubWatch said: “Since the role of the Taxi Marshal has come into place, we’ve seen a positive impact on the level of anti-social behaviour in the town.
"Although it is everyone’s personal responsibility to keep themselves safe by being mindful where they are and who they are with, the Taxi Marshal scheme gives that additional level of reassurance when someone is wanting a cab – whether they are alone or in a group - as well as helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town.”
"Funding this role demonstrates how inSwindon BID is committed to supporting the night-time economy and promoting Swindon town centre as a safe and vibrant place to go at night.
"The marshals are able to reassure people that they will be able to find a licensed taxi in a controlled queue, assisting in preventing anti-social behaviour, improving the safety of vulnerable persons and dealing with confrontational situations.”
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
Wednesday, 4 December 2019
CABBIES in Solihull could be made to follow new rules under a council review of taxi licensing.
Attributing the nationwide increase to ‘a surge in licensed private hire vehicles,” the body said there was an 83 per cent increase to 221,200 in 2019, from the 120,400 private hire vehicles in 2005.
Solihull Council’s last taxi licensing review took place in 2010, when the Department for Transport published best practice guidelines, but the LGA warned that over the last decade legislation has become quickly outdated.
“The Government must stick to the commitment that was made earlier this year to reform taxi legislation.
“Reforms are needed to reflect the increasing use of mobile phone apps to book taxis and private hire vehicles and to give councils national enforcement powers so they can take action against any vehicles operating in their areas irrespective of where they are licensed.
“Safeguarding legislation needs to be strengthened following well-documented child exploitation cases where taxi and PHV drivers have abused the trust placed in them.
https://solihullobserver.co.uk
Councillors on the licensing committee are set to start a consultation on tightening up legislation for taxi drivers in the borough.
Meeting on December 10, the committee will look at a new policy to “determine the suitability of applicants and licensees… in order to protect users.”
The policy could change drivers’ eligibility for renewing licences, for both black cabs and private hire vehicles.
The review comes as the council aims to keep up with advice issued by the Local Government Association (LGA), the membership body for councils.
The LGA is calling on the government to strengthen taxis legislation – some of which they say dates back to 1847 and horse-drawn hackney carriages – to improve passenger safety following the proliferation of app-based private hire vehicle companies.
Latest national figures from the LGA show the number of licensed taxi and private hire vehicles in England increased to 291,800 in 2019, an increase of 58 per cent on the 184,500 licensed vehicles in 2005 when comparable records were first collected.
The number of people licensed to drive taxis and private hires also increased substantially over the same period, rising by 50 per cent, from 242,000 people to 362,000.
Councils are struggling to take enforcement action against ‘out-of-area’ drivers as there is no standard set of licensing standards.
An updated licensing policy would make standards more stringent for granting taxi licenses.
In proposals to the government, the LGA also called for a mandatory national database of all licensed taxi drivers.
Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Updating outdated and flawed taxi licensing laws has never been more urgent to provide safer journeys for the public and fairer business for drivers.
“Reforms are needed to reflect the increasing use of mobile phone apps to book taxis and private hire vehicles and to give councils national enforcement powers so they can take action against any vehicles operating in their areas irrespective of where they are licensed.
“Safeguarding legislation needs to be strengthened following well-documented child exploitation cases where taxi and PHV drivers have abused the trust placed in them.
https://solihullobserver.co.uk
Tuesday, 3 December 2019
LEEDS
TAXI and private hire drivers have welcomed moves from Leeds City Council to encourage the installation of CCTV systems in their vehicles.
But the authority stopped short of suggesting CCTV should be mandatory, due to concerns around passenger and driver privacy.
The council’s licensing committee discussed a draft policy to regulate CCTV in taxi and private hire vehicles, which included cameras only running during journeys, with footage being saved to a hard drive for at least 31 days.
A council report added that CCTV was also welcomed by most drivers, as it helped keep them safe from attacks and “malicious accusations”.
Ghulam Nabi, head of the Eurocabs Hackney Carriage Association, said: “The industry is generally very supportive of this – it is something we were involved in and is something we support.
“It makes drivers feel safer – especially the ones working late at night. It protects us from malicious allegations, as well as if drivers are assaulted by passengers.
During the meeting, a Leeds City Council officer said: “There was a consensus that voluntary CCTV gives reassurance to the public and to drivers as a whole.
“But there is a trade off between security – or the perception of security – and privacy.”
The officer told the meeting that the working group which came up with the draft policy was advised by the information commissioner’s office and the surveillance commissioner that authorities should not make CCTV in vehicles mandatory “unless strong evidence” is provided showing how this addresses safety risks.
He added: “Drivers, operators, associations are broadly in favour of CCTV and they feel safer. It’s a fact of life in 2019 that people are used to CCTV being in public spaces.
“On the whole, the licensed trade would be very supportive.
“We had strong advice that it’s important for the council to have a framework of suppliers in place to repair.”
A report by council officers into the plans stated: “The [working] group also heard that generally drivers, operators and associations were in favour of CCTV in vehicles, that drivers felt safer, and less likely to be the victim of violence or malicious allegations. Some drivers had reported getting increased bookings from customers after they had fitted CCTV.”
The draft policy states: “This policy encourages the use of CCTV in taxis and PHVs licensed by Leeds City Council, but does not make it a mandatory requirement for taxi and private hire vehicle to have CCTV, only for the CCTV equipment to meet the council’s requirements.
“The absence of CCTV in a taxi or private hire vehicle does not indicate that the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay attention to passenger or driver safety.”
The policy is set to go out to public consultation in the new year.
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
------------------------------
Ubiquitous and Curb Mobility (owner of Taxi Media™) have announced that Ubiquitous has acquired Taxi Media’s UK taxi advertising business.
Ubiquitous says it prides itself in bringing innovative, knowledgeable and accountable best-in-class service to the taxi advertising market. They also added that the acquisition will enable Ubiquitous to further develop its industry leading offering.
For Curb Mobility, the transaction enables an increased focus on its popular UK taxi payment systems business, its own industry leading taxi media offerings in the U.S. and the global expansion of its payments and mobile ridehailing platforms.
The move to merge the two media firms together is said to reflect Ubiquitous’ commitment to the taxi advertising sector. The Ubiquitous team has said they are looking forward to working with Taxi Media’s UK customers and suppliers going forward.
Andrew Barnett, Managing Director of Ubiquitous, said: “At a time when advertisers are increasingly looking for more impactful and innovative ways to engage their target audience, the Taxi continues to be an iconic and essential part of the out-of-home advertising mix. I am delighted we have acquired Taxi Media’s UK Taxi Advertising business and look forward to offering ever greater service to our taxi advertising clients."
“Combining these two talented media teams will give UK advertisers more efficient access to larger inventory and uniform product innovation,” said Amos Tamam, CEO of Curb Mobility, “while at the same time speeding expansion of the Curb Mobility digital media offerings in the US and accelerating development of our market-leading UK taxi payments business.”
TAXI and private hire drivers have welcomed moves from Leeds City Council to encourage the installation of CCTV systems in their vehicles.
But the authority stopped short of suggesting CCTV should be mandatory, due to concerns around passenger and driver privacy.
The council’s licensing committee discussed a draft policy to regulate CCTV in taxi and private hire vehicles, which included cameras only running during journeys, with footage being saved to a hard drive for at least 31 days.
A council report added that CCTV was also welcomed by most drivers, as it helped keep them safe from attacks and “malicious accusations”.
Ghulam Nabi, head of the Eurocabs Hackney Carriage Association, said: “The industry is generally very supportive of this – it is something we were involved in and is something we support.
“It makes drivers feel safer – especially the ones working late at night. It protects us from malicious allegations, as well as if drivers are assaulted by passengers.
During the meeting, a Leeds City Council officer said: “There was a consensus that voluntary CCTV gives reassurance to the public and to drivers as a whole.
“But there is a trade off between security – or the perception of security – and privacy.”
The officer told the meeting that the working group which came up with the draft policy was advised by the information commissioner’s office and the surveillance commissioner that authorities should not make CCTV in vehicles mandatory “unless strong evidence” is provided showing how this addresses safety risks.
He added: “Drivers, operators, associations are broadly in favour of CCTV and they feel safer. It’s a fact of life in 2019 that people are used to CCTV being in public spaces.
“On the whole, the licensed trade would be very supportive.
“We had strong advice that it’s important for the council to have a framework of suppliers in place to repair.”
A report by council officers into the plans stated: “The [working] group also heard that generally drivers, operators and associations were in favour of CCTV in vehicles, that drivers felt safer, and less likely to be the victim of violence or malicious allegations. Some drivers had reported getting increased bookings from customers after they had fitted CCTV.”
The draft policy states: “This policy encourages the use of CCTV in taxis and PHVs licensed by Leeds City Council, but does not make it a mandatory requirement for taxi and private hire vehicle to have CCTV, only for the CCTV equipment to meet the council’s requirements.
“The absence of CCTV in a taxi or private hire vehicle does not indicate that the owner of the vehicle has failed to pay attention to passenger or driver safety.”
The policy is set to go out to public consultation in the new year.
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
------------------------------
Ubiquitous and Curb Mobility (owner of Taxi Media™) have announced that Ubiquitous has acquired Taxi Media’s UK taxi advertising business.
Ubiquitous says it prides itself in bringing innovative, knowledgeable and accountable best-in-class service to the taxi advertising market. They also added that the acquisition will enable Ubiquitous to further develop its industry leading offering.
For Curb Mobility, the transaction enables an increased focus on its popular UK taxi payment systems business, its own industry leading taxi media offerings in the U.S. and the global expansion of its payments and mobile ridehailing platforms.
The move to merge the two media firms together is said to reflect Ubiquitous’ commitment to the taxi advertising sector. The Ubiquitous team has said they are looking forward to working with Taxi Media’s UK customers and suppliers going forward.
Andrew Barnett, Managing Director of Ubiquitous, said: “At a time when advertisers are increasingly looking for more impactful and innovative ways to engage their target audience, the Taxi continues to be an iconic and essential part of the out-of-home advertising mix. I am delighted we have acquired Taxi Media’s UK Taxi Advertising business and look forward to offering ever greater service to our taxi advertising clients."
“Combining these two talented media teams will give UK advertisers more efficient access to larger inventory and uniform product innovation,” said Amos Tamam, CEO of Curb Mobility, “while at the same time speeding expansion of the Curb Mobility digital media offerings in the US and accelerating development of our market-leading UK taxi payments business.”
Monday, 2 December 2019
INVERNESS
A Highland taxi driver is facing jail after raping a drunk female passenger, sparking calls for CCTV in all cabs across Scotland.
The Mail on Sunday has reported that Anwar Sadat Chowdhury, 41, originally from Bangladesh but now living in Inverness, forced himself on a woman in the back of a licenced vehicle last year.
She was said to have been too drunk to give consent to the married father-of-one.
Chowdhury was found guilty of rape and attempting to pervert the course of justice at the High Court in Aberdeen on November 8.
He will be sentenced on Friday at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr, a north-east MSP, said that, following his conviction, local authorities across the country should consider implementing new rules about security cameras in taxis.
He said: “While the vast majority of taxi drivers are courteous and professional, all women recognise the extreme vulnerability of travelling in a taxi alone at night.
“One way of reassuring the public would be for councils to ensure there are CCTV cameras in taxis, which would also be helpful in providing evidence for any prosecution if, sadly, it were needed.”
Other councils in the UK have agreed to install CCTV to deter sex attacks and the move seems to be gaining traction in Scotland.
Chowdhury was granted a Highlands taxi licence by council bosses last February and a taxi operator’s licence the following May.
Following the attack, his licences were suspended within days, on the advice of Police Scotland, and fully revoked in October of the same year.
Prior to his conviction, in February this year, Chowdhury met a relative of the victim in an Inverness branch of Nando’s restaurant and tried to persuade them to contact her in the hope she would withdraw her complaint to police.
http://bit.ly/35Ughgg
A Highland taxi driver is facing jail after raping a drunk female passenger, sparking calls for CCTV in all cabs across Scotland.
The Mail on Sunday has reported that Anwar Sadat Chowdhury, 41, originally from Bangladesh but now living in Inverness, forced himself on a woman in the back of a licenced vehicle last year.
She was said to have been too drunk to give consent to the married father-of-one.
Chowdhury was found guilty of rape and attempting to pervert the course of justice at the High Court in Aberdeen on November 8.
He will be sentenced on Friday at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr, a north-east MSP, said that, following his conviction, local authorities across the country should consider implementing new rules about security cameras in taxis.
He said: “While the vast majority of taxi drivers are courteous and professional, all women recognise the extreme vulnerability of travelling in a taxi alone at night.
“One way of reassuring the public would be for councils to ensure there are CCTV cameras in taxis, which would also be helpful in providing evidence for any prosecution if, sadly, it were needed.”
Other councils in the UK have agreed to install CCTV to deter sex attacks and the move seems to be gaining traction in Scotland.
Chowdhury was granted a Highlands taxi licence by council bosses last February and a taxi operator’s licence the following May.
Following the attack, his licences were suspended within days, on the advice of Police Scotland, and fully revoked in October of the same year.
Prior to his conviction, in February this year, Chowdhury met a relative of the victim in an Inverness branch of Nando’s restaurant and tried to persuade them to contact her in the hope she would withdraw her complaint to police.
http://bit.ly/35Ughgg
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