Taxi Driver Online

Interesting, the route of the protest is not very close to the clock tower. I wonder where the ambulances were to get caught up in what would be normal rush hour traffic in the rest of the city.

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Grandad,

Leicester mayor flips his lid shocker

Leicester mayor threatens to remove hackney cabbies' 'privileges' in taxi protest row



Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has threatened to remove the 'privileges' he says are enjoyed by the city's hackney cab drivers if they carry out any more rush hour go-slow protests.

Sir Peter says the RMT union, which represents some 325 cabbies, has eroded his own good will and that of the public with their two recent slow moving convoys around the city.

The union is angry that the council wants to impose a new misconduct penalty points scheme on cabbies and has caused traffic disruption on the last two Friday evenings.

It has warned it will send its drivers out again on Thursday.

However Sir Peter said any repeat of the protests could mean them losing permission to drive in the city bus lanes.

He also said the current restrictions on the number of licences granted to cabbies might be lifted and has warned he will review rules on the maximum ages of cabs.

Sir Peter has written to Leicestershire RMT branch secretary Umar Khan.

In his letter he said he had taken "a number of steps to improve facilities for hackney cabs" including the provision of new spaces for taxis on ranks and the "continued exclusive right for hackney cabs to use bus lanes and bus gates."

He added: "We have also responded sympathetically to you and your colleagues when you have argued that we should be more relaxed about the maximum age of your vehicles, and especially, that we should continue to limit the number of Hackney Carriage driver licences issued.

"More recently we have sought to work with you to enable you to hold your protest "drives" - notwithstanding our view, negotiated with you, that the penalty system is a reasonable and fair way of ensuring quality and public safety in the trade."

Sir Peter added: "Unfortunately, the behaviour of a minority of drivers taking part in these "drives" on the last two Friday's has been disruptive, grossly irresponsible and at times dangerous.

"I have concluded that the good-will that the council has shown towards the hackney cabs trade and the special concessions given are becoming very difficult indeed to justify.

"Should there be any repetition of the "drive" and the dangerous conditions that result from it, I will be taking immediate steps to review the extent of the preferential and supportive relationship the council has previously extended towards drivers of the Hackney cabs, such as the dedicated rank space and the privilege given to Hackney drivers, currently not given to private hire vehicles.

Sir Peter said there were 121 people currently on the "waiting list" for a licence who would abide with "the reasonable regulations for safety and quality which the penalty points system is designed to enforce."

The details of the RMT's next protest on Thursday have yet to be confirmed but the previous actions have involved go slow drives between 4pm and 6pm.

The Mercury has been unable to speak to Mr Khan about Sir Peter's warning and Thursday's protest.

The proposed penalty scheme is being introduced on December 1 for a 12-month trial period.


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leice ... z3sL4LTshm

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

came across a one vehicle go slow protest in tonight's rush hour traffic he eventually drifted slowly off the ring road into a side road !

Must have been getting some practice in !

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Leicester taxi protests could run on to Christmas as RMT prepares for Thursday 'go-slow'



Cabbies in Leicester are tomorrow set to reveal details of a further 'go slow' protest they intend to carry out on Thursday.

The RMT union, which represents some 325 of the city's hackney cab drivers, is locked in a dispute with the city council over proposals to introduce a new penalty points misconduct regime.

The union has said it will stage another slow moving convoy of cabs drive in the city on Thursday unless the council rethinks the scheme.

However city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has insisted he will not budge on the initiative and warned hackney drivers he will revoke privileges they have enjoyed if they persist with the disruptive protests.

As it stands the council and the union remain at still standing off against each other so at least one more protest will take place.

A Leicester RMT driver has told the BBC the union would be prepared to continue the protests all the way up to Christmas threatening further disruption in the city at the busiest time of the year.

The cabbies' 'go slow' protests, during rush hour on the last two Fridays.

The most recent protest particularly caused chaos and gridlock on the roads with some cabs blocking ambulances.

The disruption prompted a furious reaction from the mayor who has warned Leicestershire RMT branch secretary Umar Khan he would strip the hackney cabs of their use of city bus lanes and end restrictions on the numbers of licences granted.

He said their were 121 people on the waiting list for licences who would be prepared to abide by the new misconduct regime.

Mr Khan told the Mercury: "Thursday's protest is still going ahead as there has been no dialogue with Leicester City Council."


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leice ... z3sRdeUgOi

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

I don't think Sir Peter actually gets this democracy thing

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

He's one not to be messed with, he'll do what he says I'm afraid.

That doesn't make it right. Mind you, I don't think he has carte blanche to make this sort of decision. He may be able to make a recommendation.

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Grandad,

Surely its "Sir" in other words a toe rag grovelling fascist ponce wakey wakey

I reckon the to$$er has declared war and I would be inclined to let him have it how about a picket outside the mushes house at 4 am one Sunday morning, and then well theres plenty of stunts I could think up would love to have a portion of this little set too

PUBLIC SYMPATHY DONT PAY NO BILLS ACTUALLY SIR LICKSPITTLE

WELL DONE RMT

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Yes, and he is Labour.

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Grandad,

and the burke is on many lists to be dumped into the cess pit it was born into

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

How an he block taxis from bus lanes, after the london high court judgment stating taxis can use them as they are public transport, and he would also need a traffic orders and change all the signage

By getting a traffic order and changing the signs.

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Grandad,

As much as he is being vindictive to the drivers, it also leaves me wondering as to whether he realises that he will also be penalising the locals through higher fares

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

The main Council building is in the city so anyone requiring a taxi to or from there may have a problem if taxis are not going to be permitted their "privileges".

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Grandad,

Taxi drivers face arrest if they ignore police conditions on tonight's go slow Leicester protest


The police have warned taxi drivers they may be arrested if they fail to comply with legal conditions imposed on today's planned rush hour 'go slow' protest around Leicester city centre.

Chief constable Simon Cole has this morning issued a notice, under the Public Order Act, designed to prevent the disruption caused when last Friday's protest resulted in the blocking of emergency vehicles.

The police have not previously used the powers for the last two protests.

However Mr Cole has said he is particularly concerned to ensure free passage for 999 vehicles after the issues ambulances had when they were blocked by taxis.

He said: "The disruption caused by the last protest was significant, including delays to the ambulance service.

"We are aware of the impact this latest protest could cause and we are working to try and reduce that.

"We have imposed a number of restrictions on the protest to try and prevent serious disruption to the life of the community, while still allowing a lawful procession to take place."

The police order legally out the time of the protest - between 4pm and 6pm - and the route.

It insists drivers only occupy a single lane unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

It warns that anyone who deviates from the conditions could be arrested and fined.

It also says anyone who incites another to commit an offence could face up to three months in prison if convicted.

The protesting cabbies will gather along London Road, near the Old Horse pub, head down past the station, along St George's Way and St Matthew's Way before they turn left into Belgave Gate.

The protest will then go along Charles Street, Rutland Street, Belvoir Street, Pocklingtons Walk, Horsefair Street, Halford Street, Charles Street, and finish at Victoria Park roundabout.

The RMT union, which represents hackney cab divers in the city, is objecting to council plans to bring in a misconduct penalty points scheme for drivers.

The system will mean that drivers who commit offences, ranging from illegal parking to driving unsafe vehicles, will receive points.

When they reach a dozen points they will face a hearing before councillors who may revoke their licences.

Sir Peter Soulsby has written to every hackney cab driver in Leicester warning them of the consequences should they carry out further 'go slow' protests in the city.

He says he will not change his mind on the plans.

The union has suggested it will continue protesting into Christmas - even after the scheme goes live for a 12 month trial period on December 1.


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Taxi- ... z3scst6ANN

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