A private hire driver who was caught accepting an unbooked fare from undercover police officers outside a nightclub has been prosecuted and ordered to pay more than £3,000.
According to the Shropshire Star, Gurpreet Singh from Telford, was brought to court for unlawful private hire activity.
Singh, operating under a driver badge issued by Wolverhampton City Council, was found guilty on March 14 of plying for hire without valid insurance.
It was brought to light during an enforcement exercise conducted on November 27 of 2022.
During a partnership exercise with Telford & Wrekin Council and West Mercia Police, Singh accepted an unbooked fare outside Pussycats in Tan Bank, Wellington.
Subsequently, Mr Singh agreed to transport undercover officers to a pre-arranged location, thus violating private hire regulations.
Telford & Wrekin Council deputy leader and cabinet member for Homes & Enforcement, Councillor Richard Overton, said: “Operations like this are just a small part of the work carried out by our Safer Telford teams as part of the council wider ambition to make Telford and Wrekin a cleaner and safer place to live.
“Thanks to all partners involved for their efforts in bringing this case to justice.”
Singh was fined £346, costs of £2,525 were awarded to the council and Singh must also pay a victim surcharge of £138.
He must pay the full £3,009 within 28 days, and eight penalty points were endorsed on his licence.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, Cabinet Member for Environment for Wolverhampton Council, said: "Wolverhampton Council is committed to supporting Telford & Wrekin Council with these enforcement exercises. Public safety is of paramount importance.
"As a result of the court hearing, we will now be reviewing Mr Singh’s driver’s licence. As a result, his licence may be revoked.”
Councillor Overton added: “We will continue to work diligently alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and safeguard the interests of our community.”
Four neighbouring authorities have joined forces in a partnership agreement to safeguard public safety.
According to ShropshireLive, Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire, City of Wolverhampton, and South Staffordshire Councils have all signed a partnership statement that aims to bring a consistent approach to taxi safety across neighbouring authorities.
Deputy Leader Telford & Wrekin council and Cabinet Member for Homes & Enforcement, Councillor Richard Overton (pictured) said: “We’re pleased to lead this partnership and foster a united approach to taxi safety.
“Taxi services operate across council borders, so collaboration and communication are key tools. This agreement will ensure we continue working in a consistent way to protect residents and that all licensed taxi drivers and operators comply with the law.”
Key objectives of this partnership include enforcing rules and regulations uniformly and ensuring the safety of licensed drivers and their vehicles.
Councillor Overton added: "Through collaborative efforts, sharing of information, and joint cross-border enforcement exercises, we are determined to enhance safety measures across neighbouring authorities.
“This statement shows our continued commitment to joint working to ensure that our passengers feel safe and have confidence in the taxi trade. This commitment continues to put public safety at the heart of decision making and enforcement.”
Leader of South Staffordshire Council Councillor Roger Lees BEM said: “This partnership agreement demonstrates the priority of taxi safety across the authorities, and our commitment to continue to work together in a consistent manner to protect our residents.”
Councillor Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for Planning and Regulatory Services said: “Shropshire Council is fully committed to this partnership agreement, which we believe will strengthen the approach to taxi safety across our respective boundaries and enhance the work that each local authority has already been doing individually and collectively.”
Source: https://www.shropshirelive.com/2024/03/19/news/neighbouring-councils-join-forces-on-taxi-safety/
Plan for Drivers measures
The Department for Transport has published the latest raft of measures from its Plan for Drivers, which will see motorists benefit from smoother journeys and reduced congestion, with local people getting a stronger voice on road schemes that affect them.
As part of its 30-point plan, the latest measures include:
For more information, and to read the full press notice, please follow this link: https://shorturl.at/gpHOY
Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) Fund
The Government continues to deliver its £381 million Local Electric Vehicle (LEVI) Fund to councils, who can choose where is best to install chargepoints in their local area.
Following the approval of the first 5 local authority applications in February, payments to 46 additional councils from Torbay to Tees Valley have now been approved, worth over £187 million.
Additionally, the local authorities allocated to the second round of LEVI funding will be able to apply to the fund from 2 April in a further boost to the chargepoint rollout.
Alongside, the fund the Department has announced:
For more information, please follow this link: https://shorturl.at/dvDH4
A private hire driver has been fined and put on a warning following shocking parking in a residential road near a Birmingham high street.
BirminghamLive reports that police put photos on Twitter of a Vauxhall Octavia car parked diagonally across a disabled bay and pavement in Ellesmere Road, Alum Rock, near to the busy Alum Rock Road retail area.
The car was dumped across the bay, partially blocking the pavement. And now the driver is set to receive a ticket from police, with their licence to drive a PHV also placed at risk.
West Midlands Police's Washwood Heath police team posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said: “Operation Elevate. Ellesmere Road. The registered keeper of this vehicle will receive a ticket through the post and also get a warning letter from Birmingham City Council’s licensing department, being a private hire vehicle.”
The incident is the latest example of poor parking, sparking observers to quip ‘can’t park there mate’.
Source: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/taxi-driver-slammed-shocking-parking-28832160
Police are attempting to identify a hit-and-run private hire driver who has left two neighbours out of pocket.
StokeonTrentLive reports that the silver Volkswagen Passat turned around on Wignall Road, in Sandyford, on Friday 15 March.
But the driver crashed into a fence as he carried out the manoeuvre - and then drove off.
Now Staffordshire Police have been called in following the incident at 11.50am.
The incident has been shared by Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association.
The association stated: "The silver Volkswagen Passat taxi turned around in Wignall Road and reversed into a concrete fence post.
The impact damaged the post, a fence panel, and a metal gate post.
The taxi driver drove away without saying anything to the property owners or leaving their details.
The residents would appreciate any information in regards to the person responsible for causing the damage."
Police are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with any information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Source: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/neighbours-call-police-hit-run-9171079
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.