A controversial new rule requiring all hackney carriage taxis to be wheelchair accessible is set to come into effect in July 2025, sparking concerns among taxi drivers that it could lead to a mass exodus from the industry.

The South Gloucestershire Council's regulatory committee approved the measure on 14 November, despite ongoing concerns about the impact on local taxi services.

Many drivers have already switched to private hire in recent years, and the new regulation could further deplete the number of hackney carriage drivers available.

Disability rights advocate David Redgewell supports the move, arguing that wheelchair accessibility is crucial for individuals with mobility impairments.

“Without accessibility, a driver would have to literally take my wheelchair to pieces and put it back together,” he said. “It’s not acceptable.”

However, taxi drivers are worried about the financial burden of purchasing or leasing a WAV.

Shashikumar Bhurton, director of Bristol Parkway Taxis, questioned the need for a blanket requirement. "Has there been any data to support that we have to all have WAVs?" he asked.

A promised survey to assess the demand for WAVs in South Gloucestershire has yet to be conducted, raising further concerns about the decision-making process.

Conservative Councillor Keith Cranney initially opposed the immediate implementation of the rule, calling for a thorough assessment of the need.

He said: "We owe it to the trade to be clear and transparent, and not just make that decision gung-ho until a survey is done.

“Until that’s we’re burnished with all the proper facts about how much disability use is needed I think we have no option but to defer.

“We’re dealing with people’s livelihoods here. Let’s be fair to all sides.”

However, after a closed-door meeting, he abruptly changed his stance and supported the measure.

He said: “Having had the opportunity to discuss our concerns, and having taken further advice from officers, I would like to withdraw my earlier motion [to defer the decision].

"Instead, I would like to propose that, if that committee is minded, we support the recommendation to update the council’s policy, so that all hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible from July 1, 2025.”

A review of the impact of the new rule is scheduled for six months after its implementation.

After the meeting, Cllr Cranney was asked what happened during the recess to lead to his change of mind. He did not provide an answer.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A Doncaster woman has been sentenced to over three years in prison after attacking and robbing a taxi driver.

The victim was strangled with a wire and punched multiple times in the face during the incident.

The assailant, Casey Wilkins, 28, of no fixed abode, also stole the driver's change bag and wallet before fleeing the scene.

She was arrested shortly after the incident and was found to have hidden the stolen money on her person.

Wilkins pleaded guilty to robbery and was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, 2 December.

Detective Constable Joseph Albutt, who led the investigation, praised the swift response of the police and the victim's bravery.

He said: "This was a violent and unprovoked attack on an innocent man who was simply doing his job.

Thanks to the victim's cooperation and the quick action of our officers, we were able to apprehend the offender and bring her to justice."

The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by taxi drivers, who often work late at night and can be vulnerable to attacks.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A taxi driver who ran a "one stop shop" drug dealing operation has been locked up for a second time this year and been jailed four years and ten months.

Edward Marshman, 49, from Walton, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 4 December, after admitting possession of class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard that Marshman was caught behind the wheel of a Nissan car on July 14 last year while disqualified from driving. After his vehicle was seized as a result, he attended an impound in order to collect items which had been left inside.

But Kevin Liston, prosecuting, described how the police located a stash of drugs hidden within the centre console before Marshman was able to retrieve his possession.

This included around 11g of high purity cocaine, an ounce of ecstasy, 13.9g of ketamine, four tablets of the hallucinogenic class A drug 2CB, a bottle containing 50ml of class B substance GBL and 9.5g of cutting agent benzocaine.

The haul was said to have been worth more than £4,000. Marshman was then pulled over once more by officers on August 19 2023, being arrested following a struggle and found in possession of a further 3.4g of cocaine and 15g of ketamine - substances valued at a combined £980.

When his phone was subsequently analysed, it was found to contain a string of flare messages advertising his illicit wares for sale to customers. Examples of these texts which were read to the court included "get on us, dusk till dawn" and "flake 24/7".

Marshman has 18 previous convictions for 46 offences, including a 58-week imprisonment for fraud imposed by the same court in April this year where he had used his position as a taxi driver to exploit a vulnerable customer.

On December 1, 2022, Andrew Gibson, who was intoxicated after a concert at the O2 Academy Liverpool, hired Marshman's taxi. After paying the £50 fare, Marshman fraudulently claimed the transaction hadn't gone through and asked for Mr. Gibson's phone.

Marshman then drove off with the phone and used Apple Pay to make fraudulent purchases totaling over £1,500.

Judge Ian Harris condemned Marshman's actions, describing drug dealing as an "evil trade" that ruins lives.

He noted that Marshman had shown a disregard for the law and decency, and sentenced him accordingly.

The judge also highlighted the impact of Marshman's crimes on his victim, Mr. Gibson. "You preyed on a vulnerable individual who had been out enjoying himself,"

Judge Harris said. "Your actions have caused significant distress and financial loss.

"You say you were using cocaine to sustain an unhealthy working pattern while working as a taxi driver. You say you were pressured to take risks on behalf of criminals.

"You have shown a disregard for the law and standards of decency."

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

A trainee bricklayer who subjected a taxi driver to a violent assault has been handed a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay substantial compensation.

Ben Bland, now 21, admitted to assaulting the 25-year veteran driver and stealing his takings in a late-night incident on November 9, 2022.

Bradford Crown Court heard how Bland, under the influence of alcohol, choked and repeatedly punched the driver, leaving him shaken and fearful.

The victim suffered injuries including cuts, bruises, and a grazed ankle.

The court was told that Bland, who was picked up from a Halifax Tesco store, had initially requested a ride to Woodville Street but later demanded to be taken to a cash machine.

When the driver questioned Bland's lack of funds, the attack ensued. Bland forcibly exited the vehicle, stealing the driver's takings before fleeing the scene.

Despite a chase by another taxi driver, Bland evaded capture. However, DNA evidence from a discarded vape led to his arrest in February 2023.

In a victim impact statement, the driver described the incident as a terrifying ordeal that had left him nervous and fearful of future attacks.

Mitigating, defence counsel Gerald Hendron argued that Bland was intoxicated at the time and deeply remorseful for his actions.

Recorder Patrick Palmer sentenced Bland to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with conditions including rehabilitation activity and a 60-day alcohol abstinence programme.

Bland was also ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation to the victim and £800 in court costs.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it

Controversial plans by Uber to expand into Hartlepool have been approved by the local council despite opposition from existing taxi firms.

The ride-hailing giant will operate from the Hartlepool Enterprise Centre, with drivers using their own vehicles and the company's app to connect with customers.

The decision was made by the council's regulatory services committee, despite concerns raised by local taxi drivers about potential safety risks and the impact on the local industry.

Matthew Freckleton, head of cities for Uber UK, defended the company's plans, highlighting its "dynamic pricing" model and the rigorous background checks conducted on drivers.

Both Uber and council officers stressed enforcement action can be taken against drivers where offences are found to have occurred, with the information uploaded to a national database.

The application went before the panel as it falls outside the scope of the local authority’s current private hire and hackney carriage licensing policy.

This states such licences will only be granted to applicants who have an “operating base”, which is classed as a “building that it is used for the taking of private hire bookings”, within the local authority area.

A response from Uber noted “all private hire bookings will be managed through our app and records will be maintained within Uber’s computerised record system” and there will be no physical service in the Hartlepool office.

Local taxi firms, such as 23 Taxis, argued that a public consultation should be held before any changes to the policy are made.

He added: “If you just grant a licence against your own policy, that doesn’t seem to be quite right to me.”

The council has assured the public that it will monitor Uber's operations closely and take enforcement action against any drivers who violate the rules.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet about it