Taxi Driver Online

Decision on taxis used as example

A COUNCIL decision to support taxi drivers is being held up as an example of good practice across the country.

Efforts made by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have been welcomed by a national association of private hire drivers who are campaigning to change rules in England and Wales.

Representatives from the Private Hire Board are to visit Weymouth to congratulate all those involved and discuss the way forward.

Last November borough councillors agreed to lift restrictions so drivers could access certain streets in Weymouth and park on double yellow lines long enough to drop off and pick up customers.

The decision was made after a long campaign by Mandy Fry and John Sapsford of Fleetline although it has yet to be officially implemented.

As an important service relied upon by thousands, especially the elderly, Ms Fry and Mr Sapsford had called on the council to recognise the problems they were encountering in the town centre.

They secured the support of South Dorset MP Jim Knight and discussed issues with transport minister Gillian Merron in Westminster.

The London-based director of the Private Hire Board, George Walker, said: "I've asked Mandy and John to arrange a meeting in Weymouth so we can congratulate everyone involved in making decisions to help drivers in the trade.

"The borough council is leading the way which other authorities should follow."

He added: "We have a ludicrous situation in this country where there's 354 licensing authorities and 354 licensing officers all making up their own rules.

"Weymouth is the first place to adopt these special measures and by doing so the council, whether it likes it or not, has become the pathfinder authority.

"We will be referring to these decisions in our campaigns across the country."

Mr Walker said issues being discussed at the meeting will include the Disability Discrimination Act which could have huge implications for the taxi trade.

Councillors, drivers, taxi proprietors and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce have been invited to attend the meeting which will be held at the Prince Regent Hotel on Tuesday, February 6, at 6.30pm.

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

Considering that parking enforcement is now in the hands of most councils I would have thought this was a common sense move but far from earth shattering news. I wonder how long it will be before restrictions are reintroduced if cabbies start ranking up?

Regards

JD

A welcomed development, but not unique.

We do have some sensible councils elsewhere.

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IDFIMH

By "cabbies" do you actually mean Private Hire drivers?

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Former taxi driver

Our council should recieve knighthoods then.

B. Lucky

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

I seem to recollect them being sold at the moment, you can get a Lordship for pennies

CC

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

Just for the record isn't the Private Hire Board a London based association?

Remind me someone which part of Weymouth is in London?

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IDFIMH

It must be a big thing down there, a royal visit

CC

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

Private Hire Board is London based,GMBPDB on it, door 2 door campaign attracted attention nation wide, now spreading our wings by seeking out best practice.Brighton of course being a good responsive council, along with Kens London of course now joined by Weymouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DECISIONS ARE TAKEN BY THOSE THAT TURN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

What part of London is covered by the 76 act? seems like a jolly to me

CC

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

I like this bit...(."The borough council is leading the way which other authorities should follow." ) it's a pity that they are so far behind the times and do not know it..

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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!

My sources suggest the reason a London based firm is getting involved down in the stick is because of the 2012 Olympics.

As the boating lark is in that manor.

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IDFIMH