Barrow cabbies fly into trouble over ‘health and safety’ flags ruleBARROW cabbies have been warned they face enforcement action if they display England flags in their cars.
Barrow Borough Council has contacted all taxi firms after a complaint was made to the town hall about taxis displaying England flags in their windows.
In his email, Owen Broadhead, the council’s senior environmental health officer, told taxi firms: “I’ve had complaints relating to the display of flags on hackney and private hire vehicles.
“These flags are a contravention of the vehicle conditions and as such should not be displayed. I would be grateful if you could pass this message on to your drivers.
“It should be noted that these complaints are not directed at any firm, however if we see any vehicles displaying we will take appropriate enforcement action.”
Mr Broadhead told the Evening Mail that the rule preventing taxi drivers from displaying adverts in their windows was a “health and safety issue” and revealed the complaint had come from someone who works for a taxi company.
He said: “The idea is to stop people putting flags up in their back windows.
“We have had a complaint from one other member of the trade. I don’t want to seem like a killjoy but it could be seen as a breach of the rules.”
Although Mr Broadhead warned of “enforcement action” being taken, he told the Evening Mail he doubted this would happen but said powers open to the council include suspending cabbies from operating as taxi drivers.
He added: “Taxi drivers are only really supposed to display their own business contacts and not obstruct windows, it’s a safety issue.”
Craig Boothroyd, owner of City-Lynx Taxis in Church Street, Barrow, said it was a shame taxi drivers were being banned from showing allegiance to their national team.
He said: “The World Cup only happens once every four years. It’s a bit silly that someone, especially someone who works for a taxi firm, put in a complaint.
“You’d think they should be backing it not trying to stop it.”
Although Barrow taxi driver Bob Mullen is not a football follower, he said whoever had made the complaint was “a bit sad” and added: “Taxi drivers aren’t happy about it.”
Another taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said: “It should be down to the driver; it’s their car and why shouldn’t they support their team?
“I don’t know if it’s health and safety gone mad or political correctness but it is a bit mean.”
source:
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow-ca ... 2Frk%253D0
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