Taxi Driver Online

Jobs saved but fight goes on for Winsford taxi drivers




WINSFORD taxi drivers association (WTDA) vowed the fight would go on, after the borough council relaxed forthcoming changes to Hackney Carriage licensing.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Licensing Committee decided on Tuesday, April 16, to postpone a decision to ban all non wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) from the ranks from April 2014.

WTDA said the move would lead to 60 job losses across Winsford, with drivers unable to afford the cheapest £27,000 CWAC-approved WAV.

Following a hard-fought campaign supported by charities who believe the council should maintain a mixed fleet of saloon and WAV vehicles, CWAC have backed down, but the rule will still come into force from April 2016.

Dave Edwards from WTDA said: “It’s a victory for the people of Winsford and victory, at least three years, for the semi ambulant disabled who can’t climb in and out of these big wheelchair accessible taxis, and who prefer saloon cars.

“Certainly, there’s relief from taxi drivers who were facing losing their jobs, too.”

Under the new rules, Hackney WAVs not older than 3 ½ years can be licensed for 15 years from April 2016.

Private hire vehicles also not exceeding 3 ½ years old can be licensed for 10 years.

Dave said WTDA would continue to fight for currently registered saloon drivers to be able to swap their vehicle for a non-WAV vehicle after the rules come into force.

He also thought the licensing committee should have taken the opportunity to call off the changes pending the outcome of a Government investigation that may introduce rules that supersede decisions taken at borough council level.

“The council should have waited on the Law Commission’s report. If the Law Commission overrule what CWAC have done, then the question will have to be asked: how much public money has been wasted?” he said.

Dave added: “I would also like to know exactly what evidence the council have gathered to prove that semi-ambulant people would be better served by wheelchair accessible vehicles.”

A Council spokesman said: “The Council undertook an extensive consultation exercise in order to shape the draft policy that was considered and approved by members of the Licensing Committee on April 16.

“This included people who had experience of mobility issues and sensory disabilities and also carers from across the Borough including Winsford, Northwich, Oakmere and Frodsham.

“People with a range of disabilities took part in discussion groups as part of the consultation. The groups included people with mobility issues who use, for example a walking stick, people with visual and hearing impairments, people with mental health issues and people who use motorised and non-motorised wheelchairs.

“We have not received any complaints from people using wheelchair accessible hackney carriages.

“There are a number of types of wheelchair accessible vehicles currently available which include the iconic ‘London cab’ and converted ‘people carriers’.

“These vehicles are commonly used in the Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston zones which have been 100 percent wheelchair compliant for many years without complaint.”

Labour councillors reacted angrily to the licensing committee decision to limit the lifespan of taxis, claiming that drivers ‘may be facing the dole’ when their vehicle expires.

New rules will mean Hackney cabs will have to come off the road at 15 years old while private hires will be off the road at 10 years, regardless of condition or roadworthiness.

Labour spokesperson on licensing issues, clr Brian Jones, said: "Yet again, the Tories refused to listen to the people they are supposed to represent.

“The committee were told by so many taxi drivers that imposing this age limit on vehicles will force people on to the dole because they won’t be afford to buy a replacement.

“It’s possible that this measure alone will mean hundreds of people losing their livelihoods. That’s more hardworking local people on the scrap heap and on benefits, and for what? I’m horrified by this decision.

Labour councillor Bob Rudd added: “I am very unhappy about introducing an arbitrary age limit for vehicles. It’s more important that vehicles used by the public are safe and they are comfortable.

“There are better ways that these standards can be maintained other than an arbitrary age limit.”

source: http://www.winsfordguardian.co.uk/news/ ... rs/?ref=nt

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

They complain when policies are made to make it easier to license, now they complain when policies are made to make it harder to license.

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IDFIMH

they also didn't read what the LC wrote;

.

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