Glasgow taxi owners are being urged to apply for a temporary exemption from the LEZ scheme before enforcement begins in two months.
The Glasgow Times reports that the update was issued after a bid to delay the scheme by one year was rejected and taxi drivers protested outside the City Chambers.
Taxi operators with vehicles that won't comply with Glasgow's forthcoming Low Emission Zone are being urged to take advantage of exemptions that provide flexibility for operators up until June 1, 2024.
Glasgow's LEZ is due to come into effect on June 1 this year when vehicles that do not meet the zone's emissions standards will face enforcement action.
The time-limited exemptions for non-compliant taxis were agreed by the council's City Administration Committee last year, and allow extra time for operators who do not yet meet the zone's requirements.
Taxi operators will need to apply for the temporary exemption and show they either do not have access to a funded retrofit solution or that they have applied for or submitted an expression of interest in securing retrofit funding, but are waiting for the necessary upgrades to be undertaken.
Around £3million of retrofit funding has been made available by the Scottish Government to date to support taxi operators to transition to LEZ compliance.
Applications for exemptions should be submitted by May 31 this year in time for LEZ enforcement beginning in June.
Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Transport and Climate is calling upon those with non-compliant taxis to move quickly to apply for relevant time-limited LEZ exemptions.
Councillor Millar believes this is an equitable approach to ensuring a crucial measure for tackling city centre air quality goes ahead while also meeting the concerns of the taxi trade.
He said: "At every step we have supported the shift to LEZ compliance by encouraging eligible operators to take advantage of available funding for clean, new vehicles or for retrofitting existing vehicles.
"But we recognise that for some taxis retrofit is not an option or there can be delays to retrofit work being undertaken. Granting temporary exemptions to give more time to achieve compliance with a vital public health measure is a practical way to support the taxi sector as we move towards enforcement of Glasgow's LEZ.
"With the LEZ going live in June, it's crucial that any taxi operator whose vehicle does not yet meet the standards of the LEZ moves quickly to secure access to the time-limited exemptions provided for.
"With the application process that is now open, no public hire taxi should be off the road this June as a result of the LEZ, with flexibility up until June 2024 provided to support the transition to compliance."
The first phase of Glasgow's Low Emission Zone began in 2018 with the introduction of measures that encouraged a shift to cleaner, low and zero emission buses travelling through the city centre and elsewhere in Glasgow.
From June 1 this year, the LEZ will operate 24-hours a day, all year round and apply to all vehicles, covering an area that is bounded by the M8 to the north and west of the city centre, the River Clyde to the south and the High Street and Saltmarket to the east.
The zone will be enforced through the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras.
In general terms diesel vehicles registered after September 2015, petrol vehicles registered from 2006 onwards and buses, coaches and HGVs registered from January 2013 will meet the required LEZ standards, although drivers are advised to check with their vehicle manual or the manufacturer for confirmation.
Exemptions also exist for vehicles driven by disabled people, emergency vehicles, armed forces vehicles, historic vehicles and showman's vehicles as well as motorcycles and mopeds.
Those living within the LEZ boundary have additional time to prepare, with the enforcement start date for vehicles registered to a residential address within the zone, commencing on 1 June 2024.
North Yorkshire Police has worked with partner agencies on a special operation to ensure that taxis and private hire vehicles in the City of York are mechanically satisfactory and are legal to be on the road.
On Saturday night, 25 March 2023, officers from the city centre policing team worked with the Special Constabulary and roads policing officers on “Operation Edge.”
Key partners which included the City of York council and the DVSA also took part in the operation.
Officers patrolled the city centre in marked police vehicles looking for taxis that didn’t have passengers on board. The taxi was then requested to stop and follow the police vehicle to a specialist bay.
Checks were then made by the police and partner agencies to ensure that the vehicle was legal to be on the road and mechanically safe.
The operation identified several taxis and private hire vehicles which were found to have various faults for which prompt action was taken.
In total, 31 vehicles were inspected, from the 31:
11 vehicles suspended for defects of a significant nature.
2 vehicles were issued with rectification notices issued for minor defects.
3 advisory notices were issued for minor breaches in conditions.
15 vehicles were satisfactory.
PC Dave Ellison from North Yorkshire Police commented:
“I am grateful to the partner agencies who assisted us with this operation which enabled us to engage with taxi drivers in the City of York.
“We were successful in identifying several taxis which had faults. These included dangerous tyres and faulty suspensions.
“Some of these vehicles could have caused a serious road traffic collision if they had continued to operate.
“Members of the public who choose to use and pay for a taxi expect the vehicle to be safe.
“This operation sends out a clear message to taxi drivers to ensure that vehicles are maintained so they are fit for purpose and legal to be on the road.”
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a teenager who suffered fatal injuries in a taxi attack in Armley, Leeds.
LeedsLive reports that three suspects are believed to have carried out the attack near Hall Lane and Brentwood Terrace on the evening of March 31.
Police were called by the ambulance service at 5.29pm to reports that two men had been seriously injured.
Two boys, aged 18 and 16, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, 18-year-old Jamie Meah was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other victim's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
West Yorkshire Police have now launched a murder investigation.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: "Extensive enquiries are being carried out in relation to this murder investigation, our thoughts remain with the victim who has lost his life as a result of a violent attack on the streets of Leeds.
"We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“What we do know is that the two males were in a taxi at the time when they were attacked by three suspects in another vehicle.
"I would appeal urgently to anyone who was in the area last night, who may have dashcam footage, or CCTV or mobile phone footage of anything suspicious to come forward."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or use the live chat facility here, quoting log number 1331 of March 31.
Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/man-dies-after-being-stabbed-26610455
A cabbie in Cornwall has spoken of his experiences convoying aid for the people of Ukraine over the last year.
Darren Tait, of Darren’s Cars in Callington, first decided to take action and deliver aid to Ukraine soon after the Russian invasion in February 2022.
He set up the group Cornwall and Devon Sending Love to Ukraine and has since sent 104 vans filled with a range of supplies from medical aid, to pet food, and sleeping bags, to nappies - and will continue to do so as long as it is needed.
Darren and his team only convoy the vans as far as Warsaw in Poland, where the aid is then taken across the border via Ukrainian charities.
Their next trip will be over Easter, when they will convoy 12 to 13 vans packed with donations from across Cornwall and Devon.
Speaking of his experiences so far, Darren told CornwallLive that it has been heart-breaking to hear stories from those affected by the war.
“It’s been stressful”, he said. “Some of the things we’ve seen, the people we’ve met and the stories we’ve heard have been heartbreaking.
"I remember during our first trip, we saw a coach arrive with around 40 to 50 women and children inside and there was just silence. Usually you would have expected to hear some chatting but no one said anything. It wasn’t long after the invasion, so they were all in shock.”
But Darren said the generosity and gratitude of the people in Poland has been ‘incredible’ and recalled one occasion when local people had laid on a buffet spread of food ready for their arrival – and then in the middle of it all a woman arrived with a pot of steaming hot stew.
He explained that they later learned the woman had been a bystander watching their convoys arrive. When she went to find out who they were and where they had come from, she had been so moved by the effort they had made that she went back home and immediately took the stew meant for her husband off the cooker and brought it to give to them because she was certain they must be feeling very hungry and exhausted.
During their most recent trip earlier this month, Darren and his team had a special concert arranged for them by the Chamber of Commerce for Warsaw.
“They wined and dined us and treated us really nicely. The amount of gratitude they all have for us is incredible,” Darren said.
However, Darren said that the work they do would not be possible without the support and donations from the local communities over the last year.
“I feel immense pride in the support and aid we’ve received from the people in Devon and Cornwall,” he said.
“We’ve even had people who have seen what we are doing and join us from places like Birmingham, Hertfordshire and places further afield. It just goes to show what a wonderful place we live in.”
The group has also helped bring around 60 Ukrainian refugees to England where they have joined families in Devon and Cornwall. While Darren said he is glad they could provide some help, he feels that the work they do will never be enough for the people who have lost everything as a result of the war.
“We’ve helped bring back around 60 Ukrainian refugees and we’ve had people approach us looking absolutely terrified because they’re putting total faith in us to get in our vans in the hope of being brought somewhere safe,” he explained. “It’s been surreal to hear all the stories we’ve heard.
“At one point, we thought we’d feel a sense of achievement from the work we are doing but we actually felt empty because we know that nothing we do will be enough given the situation.”
Their next convoy will depart on April 10 and in preparation, the group is still welcoming all donations. Darren said that items which are particularly needed for the refugee families are glasses, nappies, baby food, trauma kits, adult incontinence pads, generators, and cooking stoves.
“Something that’s been requested from the Ukrainian charities is to see if we can source glasses”, he explained. “Holsworthy Lions have already donated 600 pairs of glasses but we still need more.
“People are desperate for everything. We’ve sent out an ambulance, hospital equipment, incubators, 1000 zimmer frames, and wheelchairs which all go out to field hospitals.
“My daughter is deaf and she came with us on our last trip. Before we went, Derriford Hospital [in Plymouth] said they would provide a box of around 40 to 50 hearing aids all in good condition. Within a week of us taking them [to Poland], they were in the ears of the people who needed them.”
“If you could imagine leaving your home with just one bag, what would you need? Everything.
"The situation isn’t getting any better, so we’ll continue to accept donations and take them over and if anyone could offer a home or a bedroom to a refugee, it would help.”
Source: https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/callington-taxi-driver-speaks-experience-8307340
A private hire driver has been jailed for a brutal one-punch attack which left a pensioner with a brain bleed and life-changing injuries.
DorsetLive reports that Robert Leslie Hathway, 46, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 26 to be sentenced for inflicting grievous bodily harm.
On March 25, 2022, private hire driver Hathway was driving along Weymouth’s Newberry Road in a work van when he stopped by the side of the road to check directions. Fellow motorist Peter Walker drove by and gestured at Hathway, from Weymouth, angered by his van which was blocking the road.
Mr Walker, 76, tapped on Hathway’s vehicle through an open window, to indicate his frustration, and pulled over a short distance down the road, to check Hathway’s vehicle and potentially report him. The 76-year-old then noticed Hathway get out of the van and start running towards him.
Hathway approached Mr Walker’s car and punched him once in the face in what defence barrister Thomas Evans described as a moment of impulsive rage. This single punch, however, did serious damage to the elderly man sitting in the driver's seat.
Mr Walker was rushed to hospital with a laceration and bruising to his face, but after being discharged his family noticed him slurring his words and becoming confused.
The court heard, from prosecutor Tom Wright, who explained that the 76-year-old noticed a decline in his cognitive functions.
A CT scan revealed that Mr Walker had developed a bleed on his brain, which required drainage surgery in April to relieve the pressure.
“Regrettably,” Mr Wright said: “The long term consequences are likely to remain. The surgery left an indentation on his skull and it was noted there remained a 10% chance of more surgery being needed.”
A statement from Mr Walker, read out in court, said: “I spent a week in Dorset County Hospital after this incident, it frightened the life out of my daughters as I was getting less and less responsive.
“I was not responding to more and more things they told me. I was moved to Southampton Hospital due to a bleed on the brain which needed an operation. I lay in a semi conscious state and don’t remember the journey there.
“After returning home from my stay in hospital, my speech, handwriting, balance and confidence had been affected. My fitness has deteriorated.
"I’m not confident about being out and about on my own. I also struggle with remembering things like people’s names, the names of roads.”
Mr Wright added that the victim had lost his driver’s licence and much of his independence as a result of Hathway’s inability to control his anger.
Defending, Mr Evans admitted that while the incident was in no way self defence, there was an element of provocation by the 76-year-old, and said Hathway expressed “deep remorse” for what had happened, acknowledging that he caused it.
He said, attempting to sway the judge to suspend a prison sentence: “It was an extremely unfortunate incident, but it was a single blow with no use of a weapon. Him being imprisoned would effectively render his family homeless at a time when his daughter is approaching her GCSEs.”
Her Honour Judge Evans KC handed Hathway a 14-month prison sentence, and declined to suspend it. She said: “There is strong mitigation here and there would be a serious impact on the family.
“Regrettably, these factors are outweighed in my view and an appropriate punishment can only be achieved through immediate custody.
"Mr Walker was obviously an older man, you are a man some 30 years younger.
“When you physically attack an older person you take the risk of causing significant damage and that’s what you did with your single but significant punch.”
Source: https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/single-punch-lands-weymouth-taxi-8304355
A private hire driver was found asleep in his vehicle in the middle of the road, prompting concerns for public safety.
A private hire driver who continued to work despite having his licence suspended, has been prosecuted by Oldham Council.
The Hinckley Area Taxi Association has proposed new tariffs to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, which could make the borough's taxis the most expensive in Leicestershire.
Shaun Meenan attacked the teenager, who was a stranger to him, both in his vehicle and then in her home after gaining entry under false pretenses
Hillingdon Council launches consultation on PSPO to prohibit PHVs and taxis from waiting in residential streets around Heathrow Airport.
A taxi driver was left shaken after being robbed and assaulted by a knife-wielding passenger in Gateshead.
The proposed changes,which are set to be discussed at the licensing committee this week, would affect fares during weekdays, evenings,weekends, and festive periods.
A 71-year-old taxi driver has had his license revoked by the Stratford-on-Avon District Council due to public safety concerns.
Wolverhampton taxi drivers are set to be given powers to record audio in their cabs if they feel in danger following a spate of attacks.
Residents of Stirling are being invited to have their say on plans for a new taxi rank in the city center, as the local authority looks to address a growing demand for taxi services.
As of this year, only 278 licensed taxis are in service, significantly lower than the government's goal of 310.
Over 200 children from across England suffering from chronic or life-limiting conditions experienced a dream come true this weekend, thanks to a heartwarming initiative by London's black cab drivers.
Residents are being encouraged to participate in a consultation on proposed new taxi charges.
Taxi drivers at Bristol Parkway railway station are expressing frustration over a subsidised bus service that they believe is cutting into their business.
A year after the removal of a taxi rank due to lack of customers, Ipswich Borough Council is proposing to introduce a new five-place rank on Key Street.
A taxi driver who had his licence revoked following allegations of posting offensive material online has been given the chance to reapply.
The Glasgow Low Emission Zone (LEZ) has shown initial positive results in reducing air pollution, according to a new report.
Colin Aylward, who lives in Chittys Lane, Dagenham, captured the shocking incident on his home security system.
Independent Councilor Dave Patrick warned that the proposed increases would make Fenland one of the most expensive places in the country for taxi travel
Bleed kit charity, RAPAID, has already installed over 5,000 kits in UK cities in a bid to put emergency bandages in permanent circulation so that they are on hand whenever needed.