Taxi Driver Online

Rossendale taxis could be forced off the road


DOZENS of Rossendale taxis could be forced off the road after the council decided to enforce a 10-year-old rule.

Rossendale introduced a condition in 1999 saying that multi-purpose vehicles used as a taxi had to provide direct access to a door for each passenger or they would not be given a licence.

But the condition was never enforced and over the last 10 years many taxis which fail to comply with the condition have been given the go-ahead to operate in the Rossendale area.

The council is now planning to impose the condition, which would affect 37 taxis in the Valley.

Taxi drivers are opposed to the introduction of the rule and have entered negotiations with the council.

A spokesman for the council said: “We need to consider whether we should continue to licence vehicles with four passenger seats if there is a risk that the passengers in the back would not be able to get out easily in an accident. Ideally all passengers should have direct access to at least one door which can be opened from inside and outside the vehicle.

“We believe that there are approximately 37 vehicles which would be potentially affected by any changes in the licensing conditions, however, we believe that as many as half of these could easily be made compliant.”

The council has proposed four options to tackle the current predicament.

They include ‘Grandfather Rights’ which would allow the taxis to operate until the end of their licence before enforcing the rule, to recall the affected vehicles and amend the licence for the carriage of four passengers, to recall affected vehicles and revoke the licence, or to remove the licence condition all together.

Glen Bulcock, chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association and owner of GB Taxis, Bacup, said: “The taxi association met last week to vote and every member agreed with the option to remove the licence condition all together.

“We will meet with the council next week and propose our unanimous decision, but we are willing to negotiate with any reasonable offer.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Why bring in a condition then do nothing about enforcing the condition?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Maybe the LA has been off sick.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Maybe the LA has been off sick.[/quote]

You licensed there too?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Maybe he is as old as you and is taking it easy

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

maybe the council dont know that vehicles passed by VOSA as being fit for carrying passengers are fit to be taxis like most areas of the UK and the rest of the world