27 August 2009, 09/183
Last chance
to have say on taxi consultation
Time is ticking away to give your views on draft proposals
setting out new standards that licensed taxi drivers, and their
vehicles, will be expected to meet in West Lancashire.
There are only days left to give your comments on the Hackney
Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which includes
proposals to introduce a new dress code for drivers and introducing
an age limit of 15 years for all licensed vehicles.
The deadline is 11 September so people are being encouraged not
to lose this valuable opportunity to have their say on the
plans.
Already there has been a positive response but there is still a
final chance to give views. The draft policy can be viewed at
www.westlancs.gov.uk/taxilicensing,
where comments can be made by filling in the online form.
Alternatively, comments can be made by emailing licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk or
by post by writing to: West Lancashire Borough Council, Taxi Policy
Consultation, Westec House, Derby Street, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39
2DQ. You can even fax over comments on 01695 585126. Hard copies of
the draft policy are available on request by contacting the
Council’s Licensing Service at the above address or on 01695
577177.
Cllr Andrew Fowler, Portfolio Holder for Community Services,
said: "Already many of the comments we have received have indicated
that they can see the benefits of having set standards in place but
it’s important that we get as many views as possible from the
general public too. So don’t waste this last opportunity to comment
on this document because taxis play a vital role in our transport
system, so it’s crucial that licensed vehicles, and their drivers,
meet the appropriate standards."
West Lancashire Borough Council is responsible for licensing
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, drivers and operators
throughout the borough. Traditionally this has been done through a
number of different policies and procedures that had been developed
over a number of years.
Whilst these policies were adequate, they had not been
previously brought together in a concise way.
As a result, the Borough Council has put together a draft policy
that will provide guidance to both the taxi trade and the
travelling public in a single document. This will make it easier
for everyone to understand what standards are expected.
Some key proposals in the document include:
- Introduce a new dress code for drivers
- Clarify the medical fitness standard for licensed
drivers
- Introducing an age limit of 15 years for all licensed
vehicles
- Amend and improve the knowledge test for new
drivers
- Refuse to licence the front passenger seat of hackney
carriages on safety grounds
- Introduce policies to help promote the use of
environmentally friendly practices
- Review of all existing licence conditions
The consultation is running until 11 September so hurry to give
your views.
Related information