Taxi Driver Online

They have their own rank in Skegness. Near the clocktower.

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Grandad,

That's just one of MrT's TX2 conversions.

dont give him any ideas

CC

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

Horse-drawn tours given the nod



CIVIC chiefs have backed the idea of horse-drawn carriage tours around historic parts of Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council's licensing committee has agreed to an additional set of conditions which will allow horse-drawn tours in town.

Dream Day Carriages, which is based in Usworth Road, can now submit a full application to provide tours around the marina and the Headland during bank holidays and public events.

The licensing committee needed to approve the conditions, which cover animal welfare and carriage maintenance, as the hackney carriage policy didn't cover carriage tours.

Bosses are now preparing a detailed application to the committee, which will include details of the routes and fare prices.

The company has seven carriages – some dating back to 1820 – which can carry between two and six people, and work on a new fleet that can carry between nine and 12 people is also under way.

Dream Day Carriages boss Tony Simpson, 45, said: "The most important thing is the health and safety of the horses and the passengers. The horses, which will all be fitted with reflective pads on their legs, won't be used if the weather conditions are bad. They will all wear bells so people are aware of them at all times, and they are regularly checked by vets.

"The carriages are checked every six weeks and there will be daily reports from drivers so if there are any problems they will be taken off the road.

"The fares haven't been set but they would be fixed from point to point and clearly advertised before passengers get in.

"We are looking at setting up three routes; around the marina, from the Marina to the Headland Gate and from Church Street to the marina.

"The idea is to show off the best that Hartlepool has to offer on short routes."

The new conditions state:

The carriages, known as Landaus, do not have to be painted yellow unlike other hackney carriage vehicles.

The carriages will be subject to an inspection by council officers but they do not need to carry a meter. Instead a standard fare will be advertised.

The horse must be at least three years old, have a means of permanent identification, such as a microchip, and there must be water stops in place.

Drivers, who must have knowledge of animal welfare, must hold a qualification to show they are capable of being in charge of a horse on a public highway.

Coun Jonathan Brash said: "This will be unique to Hartlepool and we will be the envy of other authorities.

" It is a fantastic idea and the conditions are more than adequate to ensure the heath and safety of the horses and passengers."

Coun Alison Lilley, who raised concerns about the welfare of the horses in poor weather conditions, added: "I think it is a wonderful idea and it will bring a lot to Hartlepool."

Mr Simpson, from the Belle Vue area of town, added: "I think the meeting went very well and they all seemed really positive about our plans."

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

I hope they dont use the horses i backed at the gold cup meeting or everyone will be late getting home...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Hay in one end...Sh*t and methane gas out the other, just what exactly is the Carbon Emmisions of a horse ??

A plate on it's arse?

Carriage horses to be dyed yellow





Tony Simpson pictured with one of his carriages

COUNCIL bosses have agreed to allow horse-drawn tours to take place around Hartlepool – as long as the horses are painted yellow.

As previously reported in the Mail, Dream Day Carriages, based in the town's Usworth Road, has submitted an application to provide tours around the marina and the Headland during bank holidays and public events.

Licensing chiefs have agreed the proposals in principle. But a request for the horses to be dyed yellow to make it clear they are effectively a taxi service has been added to the list of conditions.

Flora Lipo, senior licensing officer for Hartlepool Council, said: "We've thought long and hard about how to distinguish the only licensed horse-drawn carriage from others in the town.

"We have yellow taxis so it makes sense to have a yellow horse for consistency.

"The shade of yellow dye we are recommending is exactly the same colour as the yellow cabs so you'll certainly see it from a distance.

"We'll be careful when we dye the horses' heads to protect their eyes and ears. As a council, we have a responsibility to safeguard the public and we feel that the steps being taken are reasonable given the circumstances."

The company has seven carriages – some dating back to 1820 – which can carry between two and six people. Work on a new fleet that can carry between nine and 12 people is also under way.

Dream Day Carriages boss Tony Simpson, from the Belle Vue area of town, said: "It seems a bit daft and it will cost a few quid to get the right sort of paint for the horses so they blend in with the taxis.

"I've sprayed one of the horses yellow already to see what it looks like.

"If I'd been in London I could have just used black horses to blend in with the black cabs. But it's a bit different in Hartlepool where a lot of the taxis are yellow.

"Rules are rules though and I can assure the council all of the horses will be sprayed the right colour before we start doing the tours."

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

He could have gone PH and used a beach hut as a booking office

I once saw a black and yellow border collie. I asked the farmer about it and the dog had apparently been out in a field just after the crop sprayer had been round. It did look very strange. And no this has nothing to do with it being April 1st.

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Grandad,

free bag of manure with evey 4 mile trip.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com