Drivers have slammed a new rule meaning they could be fined for leaving their engine running while parked as “anti-motorist”.
The Argus reports that the measure, brought in by Brighton and Hove City Council on January 2, means motorists must now turn off their engine while in a parking bay, taxi rank and other parts of the road or they could face a £40 fine.
The council disputes claims the scheme is anti-motorist and said it is instead an anti-pollution measure.
Brighton and Hove City Council added that an idling engine can produce up to twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion.
The crackdown will not apply to stationary vehicles sitting in traffic.
Peter Lambert, from Brighton, slammed the new rule. He said: “Once again, the council is having a go at motorists. It costs fortunes to park, if you can find a space, now being fined for keeping your engine running, unbelievable.”
Others raised concerns about circumstances where leaving an engine on might be unavoidable, including when de-icing a car, or in a health emergency.
The highway code states that “windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision” and some drivers raised concerns about how they might start their cars on frosty mornings and allow heaters to demist their windows.
Brighton and Hove City Council has since confirmed that drivers will not be fined in this instance.
A council spokesman said: “Before anything else, our enforcement team asks drivers with idling engines to switch the engine off. We only fine people who refuse to do so.
“There are also a number of scenarios where we would not issue fines.”
These include:
The chairman of the city council’s transport and sustainability committee, Councillor Trevor Muten, said: “Improving the city’s air quality is extremely important, especially for those who suffer from long term respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung disease.
“Enforcing engine idling is something we hope will deter motorists from releasing harmful emissions unnecessarily. We’re asking those parked up to switch off their engines and reduce air pollution.
“This is not about being anti-motorist. It’s about being anti-pollution.
“It is simply about reminding motorists to be considerate of their environment and to do their bit for other people – particularly children, the elderly and the vulnerable.”
Source: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24027878.brighton-hove-city-councils-idling-engine-fine-comes-place/
A taxi driver was "grabbed by the neck" and "punched" whilst driving passengers home on Christmas Day.
The victim – a male taxi driver aged in his 40s – picked up two men and two women from The Punch Bowl Inn in Easton on Portland on Monday, December 25.
It is reported that at around 9.40pm whilst driving on Lanehouse Rocks Road, one of the male passengers grabbed the victim by the neck.
When stationary, the victim asked the man to leave the taxi and the suspect forced the driver’s door open, before punching the victim and damaging the vehicle.
The suspect made off in the direction of Vines Place and Leamington Road.
Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any serious injuries.
The suspect is described as a man in his mid-30s, five feet five inches tall with a stubbly beard. He was wearing a pink shirt, white vest, black trousers and brown shoes.
It is reported that the suspect was in the company of a tall, thin man with blonde hair wearing glasses and a white long-sleeved shirt, as well as a woman in a white dress.
Officers investigating the alleged assault are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Police Constable Richard Symonds, of Weymouth police, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area at this time and has information about what happened to please come forward.
“I am particularly keen to talk to the passengers in the taxi who were involved in the incident.
“Furthermore, I am keen to hear from any residents of the Lanehouse area who may have relevant footage of the suspect recorded on their doorbell cameras or home CCTV.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230201347.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
Source: https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/24028229.weymouth-taxi-driver-assaulted-passenger-christmas-day/
A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court after attacking a taxi driver with a yard brush.
Derry Now reports that Martin Coyle, 48, of Westlake in Derry was charged on April 16 last year with attacking a City Cabs driver who was bringing him and his wife home.
The court heard that Coyle and his wife had got a taxi home and upon arrival, Coyle got out, leaving his wife and the driver in the car, and began to punch the car repeatedly.
Coyle then picked up a yard brush that his daughter tried to take from him and began to attack the car and driver, dislocating the driver's finger.
Overall, the damage to the car was over £1,000.
Coyle, who was drunk at the time, claimed that his wife was being held against her will in the car.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Coyle is a 'pilar of the community' and a 'devoted family man', adding that his 'judgement was impaired' but that he had pleaded guilty.
He said Coyle 'deeply regrets' his actions on the night and had brought some money towards compensation.
District Judge Barney McElhom called the incident 'extremely serious' and sentenced Coyle to six months, suspended for two years and ordered him to pay £2,000 in compensation.
Shropshire Council looks set to drop its ban on taxis displaying the Union Flag – although a report warns the move may put some people off using the vehicles because of concerns about "nationalist and right-wing sentiments".
The Shropshire Star reports that last year the council ordered Market Drayton taxi driver, John 'Basil' Brockhurst, to remove a flag of the Cross of St George from his vehicle.
Mr Brockhurst subsequently lost an appeal against the decision.
The military veteran said the cross was of personal significance, having fought for his country in both Northern Ireland and Iraq.
The council faced heavy criticism for the decision, with its own deputy leader, Councillor Ian Nellins, proposing changes.
Now the council has said recommendations to change the rules will be discussed by its strategic licensing committee on Thursday January 11.
The committee will be asked to debate whether the 'Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2023-2027 should be changed to permit the display of the Union Flag on taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles and for the purposes of promoting any private hire operator business or any business offering taxi or private hire vehicle services'.
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, chair of the Strategic Licensing Committee, said: “We want to ensure that the public and the trade are aware that the Strategic Licensing Committee is due to consider the conditions under which it may be acceptable to display and use the Union Flag.
"If approved, a change will be made to the council’s current position, as was previously agreed by cabinet in November 2022, and set out in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2023 – 2027.
“The overriding priority for the committee is that we ensure the safety and welfare of the public. However, we understand that there are some concerns about the council’s current position and for that reason we will be debating the issue at our meeting on January 11.”
A report prepared for the committee states: "The current prohibition on the use of all flags may be considered a disproportionate regulatory requirement on hackney carriage and private hire vehicle proprietors and on private hire operators."
The report says that the changes would only allow one flag – the Union Flag of the United Kingdom - to be displayed.
It states: "Whilst it may appear more reasonable to permit the display/use of any flag, it is considered proportionate to permit the display of only the national flag of the United Kingdom, the Union Flag; no other flags or emblems will be allowed.
"The display of the Union Flag will not be mandatory; it will be for each hackney carriage and private hire vehicle proprietor and private hire operator to determine whether to display the flag on their vehicle or in any advertising/promotion of their business.
"However, if the Union Flag is displayed on a vehicle, it will be restricted to one and subject to positioning and dimension specifications for the purposes of ensuring public safety."
But the report also raises concerns over the planned change and that the flag could lead to some being concerned for their safety.
It states: "Despite the proposed restrictions on the display of the Union Flag, it should also be acknowledged that potential passengers may be concerned for their own safety should they find that a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle they intend to hire is displaying the Union Flag.
"This is due to its known appropriation by those with nationalist and right-wing sentiments.
"It may also lead to an economic impact in that passengers may decide to cancel their original booking and look to find a different driver/vehicle to fulfil their transport needs.
"Given the hackney carriage and private hire trade already face an ongoing challenge to fulfil demand, (which is a national, as well as a local problem), there is a risk that passengers may be unable to readily secure a replacement driver/vehicle at short notice.
"This may increase safeguarding risks and adversely impact public safety if, for example, passengers are vulnerable through inebriation or unable to attend medical appointments.
"In addition, the economic impact may extend beyond individual drivers into the wider local economy if, for example, passengers are unable to reach their destinations to shop or access leisure and hospitality services."
The report adds: "There is also potential for families and households who have settled in Shropshire, as a consequence of their refugee status, to feel alienated rather than welcomed."
The committee will meet to discuss the issue at Shirehall at 10am on January 11.
Anyone wishing to submit a public question in relation to the matter must do so in no more than 250 words to Shropshire Council no later than 5pm on January 5.
The drop-off fee for Aberdeen Airport taxis increased by 150% on Wednesday 3 January.
The Press & Journal reports that in a memo sent to drivers for the airport’s official taxi firm, it was confirmed that passengers will need to pay an extra £3 for every journey – increasing from £2 to £5.
It comes ahead of a price hike in the firm’s weekly ‘barrier fee’ which will rise to £200.
Aberdeen Airport Taxi Management bosses stressed the move will bring costs in line with those being paid by external taxi firms at the north east terminal.
They said the changes were part of a model which would offer “flexibility like we’ve never had before” and will allow drivers “to work as much or as little as they like”.
The P&J was told that the increase to the drop-off fee has followed a rigorous consultation process.
A spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “These changes bring the airport fleet in line with external taxi companies.
“We are also working with taxi drivers in our fleet to provide more flexibility for drivers.”
In the internal memo seen by the P&J, drivers were told that passengers will be informed of the increase on the taxi screen at the tunnel.
Bosses said: “These initial changes mark the beginning of a significant shift towards a more flexible model at Aberdeen Airport Taxis.
"This model ensures increased flexibility for drivers while simultaneously reducing operational costs.
“Once the new model is in place, later in 2024, we will be able to move beyond traditional shift patterns to explore a more efficient, long-term solution.”
In February it was announced that drop-off charges would increase to £5 due to a rise in operational costs.
External taxi firms faced a £1 rise in accessing the drop-off zone, located at the front of the terminal.
To coincide with the price increase, bosses extended the maximum time from 10 minutes to 15 minutes.
The drop-off charge was first introduced at Aberdeen Airport in 2015 at just £1 before quickly doubling to £2 the following year.
It later increased again in 2019 to £3 before going up to £4 in 2022.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.
BYD, manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Uber, designed to bring 100,000 new BYD EVs onto the Uber platform across key global markets.
Ways of increasing the amount of wheelchair-accessible taxis across the city are set to be explored to make it easier for those who need one to get one.
Cumbrian taxi drivers are fighting back against proposed licensing changes they fear will cripple their livelihoods.
Bolton taxi drivers are urged to sign up for free safeguarding and disability awareness training before the deadline on October 31st, 2024.
A Conwy Council meeting on Monday revealed a critical failing that allowed a taxi driver whose license had been revoked to continue transporting children to school.
Worcester City Council is seeking public opinion on a proposal to make safeguarding training mandatory for taxi and private hire drivers.
A proposal to increase driver, vehicle and private hire operator licences was discussed on Friday 19 July 19 at Sheffield City Council’s waste and street scene committee.
Through this collaboration, FREENOW willl provide additional benefits giving drivers up to 25% off pay-as-you-go rates across the entire bp pulse electric charging network and discounted fuel at all UK bp branded sites.
Wakefield Licensing, working alongside West Yorks Police Roads Policing unit, NPT, Off-Road Bike Team, Police Intercept Team, DVLA & DVSA, held a Partnership Day of Action at Thornes Park.