Spot checks on Mansfield and Ashfield taxi safety

MANSFIELD District Council’s licensing team organised a day of spot checks on taxis and private hire vehicles to ensure that they are mechanically sound and safe to travel in. The council joined forces with officers from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Nottinghamshire Police, Ashfield District Council and Bolsover District Council to inspect 16 vehicles at the Hermitage Lane depot.

Each vehicle underwent a check on its engine, brakes and tyres. The vehicles were also examined for scratches, dents and condition of bodywork and checked to see that they were carrying a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Taxi meters were examined to ensure they were charging the correct prices and had not been tampered with, whilst the Police ran checks to confirm that all the vehicles were insured. All sixteen vehicles passed the inspection.

Two scrap metal vans were also inspected and found to be overweight and trading without a scrap metal dealer’s licence. One van was impounded by the Police for having defective brakes. In addition, two trade vans were brought in for maintenance checks and both were found to be satisfactory.

Councillor John Smart, chairman of the Licensing Committee at Mansfield District Council, said: “The council takes public safety very seriously. In order to fulfil their licensing conditions, taxis and private hire vehicles have to be maintained to a high standard. These spot checks give the council the opportunity to ensure that operators are complying with our rigorous safety standards. It is very encouraging to see that all 16 of the taxi and private hire vehicles passed the inspection.”