UPDATEA group of private hire drivers say they still plan to blockade key routes out of the city centre on the day of the Grand National at the same time as a planned strike on Merseyrail trains.
The action could result in chaotic scenes across the city - with Arriva Northern rail staff also set to walk out, meaning trains from outside the city could be affected as well as those on local lines.
The private hire drivers are planning to take disruptive action because they are unhappy with changes to the council’s licensing arrangements – which they say are leaving drivers off the roads for lengthy periods.
In the wake of child sexual exploitation scandals in Rochdale and Rotherham, Liverpool was one of many councils to change its licensing policy so that temporary licenses are no longer handed out while drivers are waiting for clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
But the group, led by private hire driver Ryan Jones from Toxteth, said the delays have caused serious financial problems for many drivers.
Mr Jones said the protest is still scheduled to go ahead and he said it will be a “double whammy” for the city as rail staff plan to walk out.
The 34-year-old said: “As things stand the protest is still going ahead.
“It is not what we want to do, we are proud scousers and we want people to come and enjoy the event – but we feel we have been backed into a corner.
On Tuesday the Rail and Maritime Transport workers union announced its staff on Merseyrail services will carry out a second 24-hour strike in a row over a new fleet of driver-controlled trains which will make 220 guard roles redundant.
The same union will hold a strike on Arriva Rail North services during the key event over the same issue.
The private hire group says scores of cars will take part in the protest, while Taxi Alliance Liverpool – which represents a large number of Hackney cab drivers in the city – says its members will not be involved.
RMT picket lines of workers and supporters, outside Lime Street Station, in Liverpool, as Northern, Southern rail and Merseyrail staff start 24-hour strikes in a dispute over the role of guards on trains. The dispute involves plans to make trains driver-only-operated (DOO). (Photo: Daily Mirror)
Liverpool Council said its new online system for issuing licenses came in after detailed consultation with the taxi trade.
He said: “Drivers can no longer simply request a temporary badge if they have not got all of their documentation together by the time it expires. It is their responsibility to ensure they have it in place and, as a matter of public safety, we have to ensure they hold valid, up-to-date criminal record documentation and medical certificates before they can be granted a licence.
“All drivers are now contacted three months before the expiry of their badge and reminded that they need to start the process of getting an up to date medical certificate, criminal records check and DVLA mandate.
“Once all of this is completed they are issued with an appointment at a One Stop Shop to collect their new badge. It is really important that drivers do not leave it until the last minute to start the process because they risk not being licensed.”
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