Taxi Driver Online

1 Mar 2008

Council ‘acting like Big Brother’

A COUNCIL has been accused of acting like “Big Brother” because it has
banned pictures of scantily clad women from its taxis.



Cosmetic surgery chain MYA (Make Yourself Amazing) applied to
Newcastle City Council to use its designs, which include pictures of models
in bikinis, on the exterior of the city’s Hackney Carriages.

But MYA’s designs have been rejected by the council on the grounds that
they would be too distracting for motorists.

The designs were sent to the council for approval this week with plans to
launch the advertising scheme today, and keep the contract running for an
indefinite period in order to raise MYA’s profile in Newcastle.

MYA Cosmetic Surgery, who say their advertising campaigns celebrate the
beauty of the female form, have one of their flagship clinics situated on
the Newcastle Quayside, and already have a number of their own vehicles
with similar branded designs.

MYA Chairman and owner of Doncaster Rovers football club, John Ryan,
said he was disappointed with the council’s decision.

He said: “This is such a shame for us and we are quite frankly stunned at
the council’s decision.

“We were very excited about increasing our awareness in the Newcastle
area. What is going to be next for Newcastle? Are women going to be
banned from walking on pavements?”

And local taxi driver Paul Allen also said he felt Newcastle Council had
overreacted to the designs. He said: “I have seen certain branded cars
with ladies wearing not much on the side.

“It is not like they’re naked and it has never made me take my eyes off
the road. It is like Big Brother – women on the streets may be forced to
cover up. How far do you go?”

A spokesman said: “Newcastle City Council has a duty to protect the
safety of other road users. We believe this particular image, which is white
and appears prominently on the rear of a vehicle, would distract other
drivers and cause accidents.”

Source: Journal Live
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