A man living with tonsil cancer who struggled to use public transport has given thanks to an Ipswich-based taxi firm for helping him attend a special concert in London.
Suffolk News reports that Andrew Beaumont, from Beccles, was due to appear at the Royal Over-Seas League as part of a choir on April 3, but illness meant it was difficult to use public transport, which meant he would be unable to attend.
However, Hawk Express Cabs offered to give him a lift from his home to the venue free-of-charge so he could watch them perform.
Andrew is part of Shout at Cancer, a laryngectomy choir consisting of people who underwent the procedure, which performed that night.
Andrew said: “I am deeply grateful to Hawk Express Cabs and their driver Mick for getting me to London to see the choir’s performance. I was guest of honour and was greeted warmly.
“Although I’m no longer able to perform, just to be there at the concert was tremendous.
“The generosity and compassion shown by the team has been quite overwhelming. And it was such a special day – I’m full of gratitude at this act of kindness.”
Andrew was first diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil cancer in 2006. Later, in 2013, he was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer in his larynx and tongue.
Later that year, he underwent a laryngectomy – the surgical removal of the larynx – which saw the organ removed, alongside 60 per cent of his tongue.
Despite the operation, he was regularly able to perform with Shout at Cancer, and has graced stages such as the Wellcome Collection and the Barbican.
He has been in the care of St Elizabeth Hospice since September 2022.
Kim Morphew, from Hawk Express, said: “As soon as we heard Andrew’s story we reached out to the hospice team team in order to help Andrew attend this special performance by the Shout at Cancer choir.
“His story is truly inspirational and we are so glad he had a brilliant time at the concert.”
A private hire driver in Torfaen has been fined for smoking in his car.
Cwmbran Life reports that new regulations came into force in Wales on 1 March 2021- Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020.
Torfaen Council’s licensing team received a complaint that a driver had lit up in his private hire vehicle.
A report to the council’s licensing committee said: “It is against the law to smoke in a vehicle that carries members of the public, therefore a vehicle licensed for either hackney carriage or private hire use is designated as a smoke-free premises.
“A licensed vehicle is a licensed vehicle at all times, irrespective as to whether or not the vehicle is being used for hackney carriage or private hire purposes.
"A fixed penalty notice for smoking in a smoke-free premises has been issued to the driver and to date has not been paid.”
The report did not include the total amount of the fixed penalty notice.
Source: https://www.cwmbranlife.co.uk/torfaen-taxi-driver-fined-for-smoking-in-his-car/
A cabbie stopped with more than £500,000 worth of drugs in his car on the A11 has been jailed.
The Eastern Daily Press reports that Anthony Clinton, 59, was stopped near Wymondham by police who discovered 21kg of ketamine, a powerful horse tranquilliser and anaesthetic that has become an increasingly popular recreational drug.
Norwich Crown Court heard following the stop, in the early hours of October 11 last year, Clinton's home address was also searched and further drugs were found.
The searches resulted in cocaine, with a potential street value of £420,000, being found as well as class B drugs with a potential value of between £34,000 and £68,000.
The total potential street value of ketamine found both in Clinton's car and at his address was between £640,000 and £960, 000.
Clinton, from Badersfield, appeared at court for sentence on Friday 5 May, having admitted a series of drugs offences.
The offences included two counts of possession with intent to supply ketamine, two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis and an offence of possession with intent to supply MMC, a class B drug.
He also admitted two counts of possession of cocaine as well as possession of ecstasy.
Jailing Clinton for five years and seven months Judge Katharine Moore said the defendant had used his "veneer of respectability" as a taxi driver to give him the opportunity to supply drugs.
Matthew McNiff, mitigating, said his client has no previous convictions and "became involved through others".
He said Clinton was put under surveillance and stopped by police with drugs found in his car and at home.
Mr McNiff accepted there was a "substantial" amount of drugs found but insisted this was not an individual who was "living the high life" as a result of his involvement.
Source: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23507269.norfolk-taxi-driver-caught-500-000-drugs-a11/
A ten per cent hike in North Ayrshire taxi fares has come into effect.
The Irvine Times reports that under normal tariffs, taxis can now charge a maximum £3.50 up to the first three-quarters of a mile, and then £2.30 for each mile thereafter in 10p units.
The previous maximum rate was £3.20 for the first three-quarters of a mile.
Under the higher tariff which runs from midnight until 7am, on a Sunday or on public holidays, the charge is higher.
On the higher tariff, taxi drivers can now charge a maximum of £4 up to the first three-quarters of a mile, up from £3.50, and £3 for each mile after that in 10p units.
A festive tariff applies to journeys starting or ending on December 25 or January 1 being doubled.
Extra charges apply for large vehicles, boundary zones and a number of other factors.
The proposals were initially approved by the licensing committee at North Ayrshire Council (NAC) last October, but the increase was put on hold after one operator lodged an appeal.
Driver can charge less than the meter or can agree a fixed fare with the passenger before the journey, as long as that fixed fare is not more than the maximum tariff.
For more information go to bit.ly/nactaxifares.
Source: https://www.irvinetimes.com/news/23502869.north-ayrshire-taxi-fare-increase-now-effect/
A Nottingham cabbie has pointed out a confusing element in the layout of a city centre road which he claims is dangerous.
Syed Shan, who regularly carries out work in the city, said there was no obvious route for people who want to get from the Maid Marian Way southbound carriageway to the northbound.
The 35-year-old from Lenton said drivers frequently make an illegal right turn after coming down Greyfriar Gate, which is still recommended by navigators such as Google Maps.
Mr Shan said many motorists used to use a cut through at the front of Maid Marian Way car park, but this had since been blocked off by NCP.
"You can't turn around," he told Nottinghamshire Live. "There's no proper turn at all. I'm a taxi driver so I have to do it a lot.
"Everybody used to go through the NCP turning without going in but they've blocked the turn. And you shouldn't be taking private roads.
"It's terrible for everybody. You don't know where to go. As a taxi driver you know the rules, but lots of other drivers don't. You see lots of people do an illegal turn. It's very dangerous."
Nottingham City Council admitted there was no direct route for those wishing to make the manoeuvre, and advised Mr Shah and others to make a U-turn in Albion Street. The authority said it would look at improving signs and road markings near the NCP car park and would contact satnav providers.
A spokesperson said: “We appreciate that in the current road layout, which has now been operating for over two years, there is no direct route for traffic heading south on Maid Marian Way to immediately head up on the northbound side.
"However, this is not a manoeuvre many motorists need to make and we will ensure that local taxi drivers who are most likely to want to do this are aware of the correct route to take, by utilising a U-turn on Albion Street.
“We will also look at suitable options to improve signage and road markings to make it clearer that turning right just after the NCP entrance to head north on Maid Marian Way is not an option, as this places pedestrians using the crossing at risk.
"We are aware that this is the route currently suggested by satnav providers and we will be contacting them to get this rectified.”
Source: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/nottingham-taxi-driver-points-out-8417586
Tariq Rehman, 75, from Stechford, had his licence removed by Solihull Council in November last year following a complaint from a passenger.
A taxi firm boss has branded the criminal justice system "broken" after new figures revealed almost a third of offenders in the town reoffended within a year.
Dramatic CCTV footage has captured the moment a hooded figure set a taxi alight on a residential driveway.
A Drongan taxi driver has been convicted of sexually assaulting a female passenger after offering to waive her fare in exchange for sex.
Artur Nowostawski has been jailed for six years and nine months after he attacked a taxi driver earlier this year.
Taxi drivers in the city are facing significant financial losses after a series of electric vehicle charging point failures left them unable to operate.
Police are appealing for help to trace a man who disappeared after getting into a taxi bound for the Otley area of Leeds.
The company’s operator licence includes a condition ordering all drivers to undergo the same training as those from other companies.
Police have stopped a private hire driver who was driving the wrong way on the M1 close to Junction 8 at Hemel Hempstead.
Newcastle City Council is set to introduce strict new measures to tackle illegal and inconsiderate parking near Newcastle International Airport.
West Mercia Police is appealing for information following a rape that took place in Malvern's Priory Park early on Sunday, August 4th.
Glasgow taxi users could be facing a near-10% fare increase and extended night-time charges.
At least 14 cars have been damaged since June, with drivers suffering financial loss and emotional distress.
The attack happened at around 12.45pm on Etruria Vale Road, Stoke, when the victim, driving a Toyota Avensis, was punched in the face by one of the men.
Cumberland Council has taken decisive action to protect public safety by revoking the licence of a taxi driver charged last week with a serious racially aggravated offence.
A historic bridge has been closed indefinitely after an Uber car became wedged on Saturday morning.
A local councillor has sparked a debate on passenger safety after claiming that using locally licensed taxis is safer than hailing an Uber.
A taxi driver was attacked and subjected to racist abuse after two brothers refused to pay him up front.
Christopher Hilling, 64, admitted to engaging a child in sexual activity at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday 8 August.
Abdigani Ebrahim, 38, of Grangetown, admitted charges of affray and criminal damage following the incident in Northcote Street, Roath, last July.