Dedicated taxi marshals will be on hand to ensure clubbers and punters in Rayleigh get home safely as they return to the high street over the Christmas period.
The Echo reports that two security officers funded by Rochford District Council's licensing team, through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Rayleigh Town Council, will be on hand from 11.30pm to 4.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Building upon the success of the scheme over the past two years, the marshals will work to maintain an orderly taxi queue, ensuring revellers don't push in, and that everyone gets into a taxi safely.
The "simple yet effective" service aims to not only ease the flow of people but also to contribute to the safety of the night-time crowd.
Following their one-off shift during the Halloween weekend, the marshals will be stationed on Rayleigh High Street from November 25 and throughout the Christmas season on Friday and Saturday nights until December 30.
Lisa Newport, Rochford councillor responsible for communities and health, has welcomed their return and said: "We are thrilled to have our Security Industry Authority registered marshals back on duty, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this service throughout the festive season.
"The support from Rochford District Council through the fund and Rayleigh Town Council is instrumental in making this service possible. Together, we can make Rayleigh's nightlife even safer and more enjoyable for all."
A frustrated Ipswich taxi driver tired with the frequency of fare dodging has received an apology after "inadequate" support from police.
According to the Ipswich Star, Mohammed Ullah, 42, has complained each time he has called police after customers failed to pay for a journey.
The 42-year-old was told fare dodging was a civil rather than criminal matter and given no help.
He said he has experienced customers refusing to pay several times each month and has sometimes lost out on £30 for a journey due to fare dodging.
In August he wrote to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore, (pictured bottom) and cited legislation to show it was criminal but still could not get help.
Mr Ullah wrote: “Unfortunately, the support I expected from the Suffolk Police has been absent, leading me to escalate this matter to an official complaint.
“The response I have received thus far from the police operators has been inadequate, either labelling the issue as a civil matter or discouraging me from contacting the police unless it is a life-threatening situation.”
His calls were supported by Ipswich Borough councillor, Ruman Muhith, (pictured top) who argued Mr Passmore needs to work with Chief Constable Rachel Kearton to deal with fare dodgers.
Cllr Muhith said: “This issue, although operational, demands joint cooperation between the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner and the Suffolk Police Chief Constable.
“It is crucial to ensure a robust understanding of relevant legislation among police officers and call operators.
“If the PCC and the Chief Constable work closely in consultation with both taxi drivers and taxi operators, this can lead to effective strategies that deter such offences.”
The Ipswich Star approached Suffolk Constabulary about the matter in which a spokesman said: “We have spoken to Mr Ullah to discuss the concerns raised.
“Now that we have more detail we will be listening to the call and if required we will pass on any learning individually and or organisationally.
“We have apologised to Mr Ullah if the service fell below the expected standard. We have also discussed the online reporting tool available on the Suffolk police website as well as reassurance that Suffolk police do take these offences seriously.”
In addition, the police and crime commisioner said he understood why such an issue "causes such concern".
Mr Passmore said: “It is quite outrageous that anyone trying to earn a decent living should be repeatedly hindered in this way.
“I understand from the Constabulary they have been unable to identify the reference number provided by Mr Ullah, it appears it may have been provided by a different agency such as Action Fraud.
“In my correspondence with Mr Ullah, I have asked him to provide the reference supplied by the constabulary so I can take this matter up on his behalf.”
Source: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/23932019.ipswich-taxi-driver-calls-police-tackle-fare-dodging/
Removing Ottery St Mary’s only taxi rank is among proposals set out for East Devon by county council road planners.
East Devon News reports that taxi drivers are to be given a say on proposals that could impact ranks across East Devon.
Proposals have been put forward to relocate, remove or alter 17 ranks in towns including Exmouth, Seaton, Honiton and Ottery St Mary.
They are overseen by district councils, but these changes have been suggested by Devon County Council as part of its responsibility for roads.
East Devon’s licensing and enforcement committee heard about various proposed changes, which include removing Ottery St Mary’s sole dedicated taxi rank space, taking one taxi rank space from Exmouth’s Victoria Road to turn it into a disabled parking bay for a nearby children and young person’s organisation, and preventing other drivers stopping in Honiton’s taxi rank.
Councillor Peter Faithful (Ind, Ottery St Mary) questioned the rationale of removing the town’s sole taxi space.
“I’ve been approached by the local taxi driver who wants to use the rank in Mill Street, so I’d like to know why it has been suggested that we no longer deserve a taxi rank in Ottery, as we’ve only got one,” he said.
Councillor Roy Collins (Liberal, Honiton St Michael’s) also queried the rationale behind the proposal to change part of Honiton’s taxi rank from no waiting to no stopping for members of the public.
“We have one long taxi rank in the centre of town and to propose no stopping at any time will cause a lot of hardship to people,” he said.
“I give some blue badge holders lifts to do their shopping and there’s nowhere else that you can safely pick someone up or drop them off.
“There are only ever two or three taxis in the rank waiting for fares, and there’s room for about six or seven cars in total.”
Cllr Collins said he had spoken to taxi drivers in the town who were happy for people in the town to pick people up and drop them off at the rank.
In relation to one of the proposed changes in Exmouth, Councillor Steve Gazzard (Lib Dem, Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh) said removing a space from the town’s Victoria Road rank could create problems at night.
“There are already disabled bays on the other side of the road to the rank, and I worry that if there is one less space for taxis there, you’ll get a situation in the evenings where taxis are having to go round in circles through the town trying to find a space to park, especially as the rank there already gets heavily congested,” he said.
The committee agreed to the county council’s suggestion of a consultation with the district’s taxi drivers, including the East Devon Taxi Association.
Taxi drivers and taxi company owners will now have from next Monday (November 27) through to Monday, January 8, 2024, to submit their views.
These comments will then be scrutinised by East Devon’s licensing committee in February, with approved changes then subject to a 28-day period for the public to comment.
Source: https://eastdevonnews.co.uk/2023/11/20/taxi-ranks-in-east-devon/
A Gloucestershire taxi company has been found guilty of operating vehicles without a licence.
GloucestershireLive reports that two men associated with the business have been prosecuted after being reported to Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Victor Whitham, the director of Spa-Tax Taxis, pleaded guilty to operating a private hire vehicle that was not licensed and for using an operator who did not have a private hire driver’s licence on Monday 13 November.
Meanwhile, Hassan Isakhail pleaded guilty to being the driver of the unlicensed vehicle, operating as a private hire driver without a licence, and driving without a valid policy of insurance.
Mr Whitham, from Cheltenham, was fined £500 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £200. He was also ordered to pay £350 costs to the council.
Mr Isakhail, also from Cheltenham, was fined £733, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £293 and given eight penalty points. He was also ordered to pay £250 costs to the council.
RAPAID, the emergency bandages charity, hit a major milestone on Monday 20 November, as it equipped its 2000th London taxi with a life-saving kit, just nine days before the fourth anniversary of the 2019 London Bridge terrorist attack in which two people - Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt - tragically lost their lives.
The charity’s founder, Alex Chivers, presented taxi driver, Howard Taylor, with the kit, which contains military-style emergency bandages, outside London Bridge tube station.
He was joined by Darryn Frost QGM, who confronted the attacker with a Narwhal tusk, preventing further loss of life, and Travis Frain BCA, an anti-terrorism activist and survivor of the 2017 Westminster Bridge attack.
RAPAID kits enable a rapid response to catastrophic bleeding through easy-to-use bandages, surgical gloves and an instruction card.
Each black cab that carries a kit features a window sticker, alerting people that there is a kit on board so that they can be flagged down in an emergency.
The 2000th installation is part of RAPAID’s ambition to deploy its emergency bandage kits in half of London’s hackney carriages. Supported by the Licensed Taxi Driver’s Association (LTDA) and endorsed by Transport to London (TfL), the initiative aims make emergency bandage kits as accessible as possible so that members of the public can become vital first responders in emergency situations where casualties experience blood loss.
Since the rollout began, RAPAID’s kits have been used several times, including a recent road traffic accident and an incident in which a police officer flagged down a cab so they could help an injured member of the public.
The charity has also successfully placed RAPAID kits in taxis across Manchester, Swindon, Exeter and Oxford, and in a number of public places and visitor attractions.
Travis Frain BCA, who is a patron for RAPAID and an advisor to Counter Terrorism Policing at Scotland Yard, said: “During the Westminster Bridge terror attack, I saw first-hand the panic that ensues after an incident and the critical need for blood-stemming equipment in those initial moments.
"It’s amazing to think that 2,000 taxis are now equipped with RAPAID bandages. It’s like a silent safety net that can be drawn out during accidents or attacks to save lives.”
Darryn Frost QGM who is engaging with the City of London Police to support their counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent, commented: “Since the events of four years ago, I’ve really valued initiatives that bring people together to work towards the common purpose of protecting public safety, which is why I was happy to see RAPAID achieve such a momentous milestone today.
"Attacks can happen at any time, anywhere, so having these bandages widely available in taxis - a constant presence on our streets - is hugely reassuring.”
RAPAID founder Alex Chivers, a Special Forces veteran and former Police tactical firearms commander who has deployed emergency bandages in the field, commented: “In a trauma event, immediate intervention is critical, as a person can bleed out from an arterial would in as little as five minutes.
"The emergency bandages in our kits are designed to apply pressure without the need for a tourniquet, buying valuable time before the emergency services arrive on scene. Our aim is to make these kits as ubiquitous as fire extinguishers.
“I’d like to thank Howard for becoming the 2000th London taxi driver to carry our kit. Milestones like these keep us focused on our ambition to make emergency bandages available in every public location and we’ll be working hard to build on this achievement.”
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
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.