A suspect was named after armed police shot out the tyres of a private hire vehicl.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Merseyside Police were called to Walton Lane, Walton - near Goodison Park - just before 1pm on Tuesday, May 21.
A spokesperson for the force confirmed it was part of a pre-planned vehicle stop.
A private hire vehicle was stopped by armed police officers, who shot at the tyres.
In an update today, Wednesday, May 22, police said Christopher James, from Bidston, Birkenhead, was charged with possession of a firearm.
The 26-year-old was also charged with possession of ammunition and possession of a firearm when prohibited for life.
He was remanded into custody to appear at Sefton adult reman court today, Wednesday, May 22.
The gun that was recovered is being forensically examined.
A cordon was in place at the scene and a section of Walton Lane was closed in both directions to allow for investigative work to be carried out.
Source: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-named-after-armed-police-29216849
A councillor is calling for mandatory cameras in Middlesbrough’s taxis and private hire vehicles to protect both drivers and passengers.
According to TeessideLive, Beechwood and Longlands councillor, Joan McTigue, is a member of Middlesbrough licensing committee and made the request at a recent meeting.
Several “concerning” cases have been heard behind closed doors, she said, resulting in drivers being stripped of their licences.
CCTV footage would help in their decision-making, she said.
A retired taxi driver from Middlesbrough agreed it would be a valuable safety tool and could also help Cleveland Police gather evidence in their investigations.
Cllr McTigue said: “I know there are a lot of taxi drivers who take vulnerable teenagers on their own and we, as a local authority, should say you can’t have a licence unless they have cameras installed.
“It’s not just the children the cameras protect, it’s drivers too.”
She raised the suggestion at a licensing meeting, but claims the idea was “more or less dismissed”.
She said: “I was told the drivers have training, but training isn’t going to prevent things happening.
“You could ask any parent of any child and they would think it was a good idea. It’s safeguarding the child, the driver and the council.”
Retired taxi driver, Ian McPherson agreed it was a “good idea all round”.
He said: “You hear all these stories about females being accosted and drivers are accosted too.”
Mr McPherson, who lives in the Netherfields area, was a taxi driver for more than 40 years and said he was attacked several times in his line of work.
On one occasion, he was punched in the head by a passenger and needed overnight hospital treatment for concussion.
"It would be much safer and could also help the police in gathering evidence," he said.
Middlesbrough Council and the chair of the licensing committee, Cllr Linda Lewis, both declined to comment on the idea.
Several local authorities have taken the decision to mandate CCTV systems, as a way to further safeguard passengers and drivers.
According to the Office for National Statistics, taxi drivers are among the most at-risk occupations for experiencing violence while at work.
Concerns and challenges of bringing in such rules could include the costs of the systems and privacy and data protection of drivers and passengers.
Spot checks by police caught out a number of taxi drivers with 'defective' cars in Huddersfield.
YorkshireLive reports that West Yorkshire Police, along with Kirklees Council licensing officers, carried out a number of checks in New Hey Road on Monday 20 May.
In total, 45 vehicles were stopped and checked, including 18 taxis/private hire vehicles.
Staff from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency joined the operation.
Of the regular vehicles, three drivers were found to be driving without insurance and were reported to the courts for further action. One vehicle was found to have two tyres with tread below the legal limit.
Out of the 18 taxis/PHVs stopped and checked, one driver was suspended and five were given rectification tickets for vehicle defects.
One vehicle defective notice was issued for the need for minor rectification within the next 14 days.
Members of the public responded to the crackdown after West Yorkshire Police posted the details on social media.
One man said: "So a third of taxis have noteworthy defects. Very reassuring for potential taxi users."
One woman defended taxi drivers, writing: "It says 45 vehicles were stopped (not all taxis).
"There are more private cars with much worse defects. Stop picking on taxi drivers and making out that they’re the only ones with defects."
Taxi owners and drivers have issued a plea to the council leader to avoid hundreds of taxis being put off the road within weeks.
The Glasgow Times reports that Glasgow Taxis estimates 350 vehicles will be lost at the end of an extension to comply with the Low Emission Zone on June 1.
The organisation said it agrees with the aims of the LEZ but said it would be “folly” to allow so many small businesses to fail.
The council meanwhile said it has supported the taxi trade throughout the stages of the LEZ implementation.
Dougie McPherson, Glasgow Taxis chairman, put forward the proposal that “any remaining taxi operators not yet compliant with the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) to be given the opportunity to offset emissions until such point as they become fully compliant”.
He said it was expected the majority would be compliant by the end of the year.
The letter has also gone to all the city councillors.
It states: “As you are aware, Glasgow is set to lose around 350 public hire operators on June 1, 2024, with the application of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) – each one being a small Glasgow business.
“Given the huge steps taken by the taxi trade in Glasgow in recent years, we believe it would be folly for the City Council to allow these businesses and the many livelihoods they support to simply disappear overnight in the context of actual improvement to air quality in the city centre.”
It continues: “The vast majority of the taxi operators in Glasgow support the council’s commitment to improving air quality.
“Most operators now have an identified pathway to full LEZ compliance but, for many, it will simply not be achievable over the next 2 weeks.
“Glasgow Taxis asks that Glasgow City Council uses the powers available to allow those taxi operators to continue to trade beyond 1 June 2024, and moreover to continue to serve the needs of the city, as the vehicles and solutions become available over the coming year – and, where deemed necessary, to allow such small businesses to offset their emissions as per many other larger UK and international companies operating in Glasgow.”
A council spokesperson said: “Glasgow’s city centre Low Emission Zone has been introduced to tackle unacceptably high levels of the harmful pollutant nitrogen dioxide.
“Unlike carbon emissions, this air pollutant, which particularly affects the most vulnerable in society such as the very young and the elderly, cannot be offset.
“Glasgow’s LEZ has been well publicised and had an extensive lead-in time. And at every stage since the intention to introduce a scheme was agreed, we have supported the taxi sector move toward compliance.
"We have consistently encouraged eligible operators to take advantage of Scottish Government funding toward cleaner, new vehicles, or to retrofit existing vehicles - with £2.4m paid in retrofit grants since 2019 for taxis in our region.
"We also amended licensing conditions to expand the options available to operators of taxis which could not be retrofitted due to vehicle age.
“Eligible operators were also granted an exemption from the scheme’s first year of operation, and we will show further flexibilities beyond this point, but only for operators who can show they are actively taking steps to meet the cleaner LEZ standards.
“To equitably balance the health and environmental benefits of Glasgow’s LEZ, whilst continuing to support taxi operators, where an exemption is extended beyond the end of May, it will be for the shortest period possible.”
Source: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/24336290.taxi-drivers-warn-hundreds-go-business-next-month/
Self-driving vehicles are set to be on UK roads by 2026 as the Automated Vehicles AV act becomes law.
Announced in the King’s Speech, the AV Act enables advanced technology to safely drive vehicles on British roads.
The new law puts Great Britain firmly at the forefront of self-driving technology regulation, unlocking the potential of an industry estimated to be worth up to £42 billion and creating 38,000 more skilled jobs by 2035.
Road safety is at the heart of the legislation, with automated vehicles expected to improve road safety by reducing human error, which contributes to 88% of road collisions.
The law will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers, as well as meeting rigorous safety checks before being allowed onto roads. Therefore, in the future deaths and injuries from drink driving, speeding, tiredness and inattention could be drastically reduced.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: "Britain stands at the threshold of an automotive revolution and this new law is a milestone moment for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.
"While this doesn’t take away people’s ability to choose to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads as soon as 2026, in a real boost to both safety and our economy."
Mike Hawes, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive, said: "This is a watershed moment for UK automotive innovation and road safety in the UK. Self-driving vehicles will revolutionise our society, and this new law will help turn ambition into reality, putting the UK alongside a handful of other global markets that already have their regulatory frameworks in place.
"The industry will continue its close collaboration with government and other stakeholders to develop the necessary secondary legislation that will enable the safe and responsible commercial rollout of self-driving vehicles and the significant social and economic benefits they will afford the UK."
The passage of the new law follows consistent government backing of the self-driving vehicle industry – with more than £600 million in joint government and industry investment since 2015. This funding has helped create innovative new companies, build the AV supply chain and lay the groundwork for the early commercial market.
Ther act bolsters the UK’s position as a world leader in emerging industries, with both the self-driving vehicle and artificial intelligence (AI)?sectors bringing huge potential for economic growth as they develop.
The AV Act follows self-driving trials already taking place across the country. For example, home-grown British success stories Wayve and Oxa are trialling self-driving cars in London and Oxford. This month it was revealed Wayve had secured more than $1 billion in investment to develop its AI technology further here in the UK.
Wayve has said that their technological advancements have been supported by the UK’s Code of practice: automated vehicle trialling, which sets out a clear framework to support and promote the safe trailing of self-driving vehicle technology.
The act delivers the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind worldwide, setting out who is liable for AVs meaning that drivers can be assured that, while their vehicle is in self-driving mode, they will not be held responsible for how the vehicle drives. For the first time, corporations such as insurance providers, software developers and automotive manufacturers can assume this responsibility.
To ensure these vehicles are safe for British roads, the vehicle approval system will be supported by a completely independent incident investigation function. This will promote the same culture of learning and continuous improvement that has made the UK's aviation industry one of the safest in the world. Companies will have ongoing obligations to keep their vehicles safe and ensure that they continue to drive in accordance with British laws.
Trials show how self-driving vehicles can be used to improve the lives of millions of Brits – improving mobility and access to services, reducing isolation and better connecting rural communities. The act opens up vehicle use to millions who haven’t been able to do so previously, boosting transport accessibility across the country.
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.
A pilot emissions reduction grant scheme providing financial support for hackney carriage drivers to upgrade to cleaner EURO 6 and fully battery powered vehicles has been launched.
The ride-hailing giant has submitted an application for an operator licence to Darlington Borough Council, with a decision expected in August.
Darlington could soon see Uber cars on its streets after the ride-hailing giant applied for a licence to operate in the town.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has revoked the licences of two taxi drivers following a series of speeding offences.
A Northampton taxi driver has been found guilty of trafficking cocaine between his home city and Milford Haven.
The move comes after concerns were raised by the taxi industry about the rising cost of purchasing new vehicles.
Guide Dogs charity has asked licensing authorities in England for their support in sharing guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and private hire operators.
Reading Taxi Association (RTA) chairman Asif Rashid has slammed Reading Borough Council's proposed phase-out of older petrol and diesel cabs by 2028, calling it a financial burden for drivers.
Dorset Council is poised to review taxi fares across the region, excluding Weymouth and Portland which have separate regulations.
A North Belfast man, Ruairi Fintan Muldoon (31), has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with an additional 12 months on supervised release for a botched attempt to rob a taxi driver.
Passengers are been invited to take part in a survey aimed at finding out if the taxi trade in West Suffolk is accessible to all.
A Glasgow man, Darren Gray, 31, launched into a verbal tirade and racially abused a taxi driver on Paisley Road West on August 19th, 2022.