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| Will Durham drivers challenge the colour change? http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11166 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Will Durham drivers challenge the colour change? |
Drivers may go to court to stop taxi colour plan TAXI drivers in Durham have threatened to take legal action if rules requiring all vehicles to be white are forced through. On Wednesday, Durham County Council deferred a decision on whether to introduce a single colour policy for hackney carriages until after further consultation. Speaking afterwards, cabbies’ leader Steve Pratt said if the policy was pursued, he and his colleagues would consider seeking a judicial review. Mr Pratt said: “We’re talking to our lawyers. I’m sure they don’t want the new council to start off with a judicial review.” The row erupted over moves to reorganise taxi licensing under the new unitary authority, which came into being on Wednesday. Proposals were drawn up to harmonise the arrangements, with all cabs required to be white and have a unified policy on fares. Previously, three district councils required taxis in their areas to be white. Plans to abolish existing taxi zones, based on the outgoing district areas, and introduce a single countywide zone, have also proved controversial. Public meetings were held during the early months of this year, with taxi drivers venting their fury over the changes. At the first meeting of the unitary Durham County Council, held on Wednesday morning, councillors agreed to remove the single colour plan from its draft taxi policy, but deferred a final decision pending further consultation. A policy would be settled within 12 months, the council agreed. But Mr Pratt, secretary of the Durham Independent Taxi Association which represents all taxi drivers in Durham City, said he had little faith in the consultation. “I don’t think they’re going to listen to us. It’s the usual story – we didn’t know anything about the meeting. We didn’t know anything was going on. We were involved in the draft policy – we voiced our concerns, but nobody seems to have taken account of them. That’s not consultation. “We think the colour policy is a total waste of money and they haven’t justified why we have to have it. They say it’s clear but you know it’s a taxi because it has plates and names on the side, not because it’s white. People have white cars that aren’t taxis.” Mr Pratt also warned of the consequences of abolishing the existing taxi zones, saying Durham could become very congested. He said: “People think Durham is a honey pot. It’s not, but in the first few weeks people would rush to Durham because they think that’s where the money is. We have only got six or seven spaces in Durham. Where are all the taxis going to go?” A total of 74 hackney carriages operate in Durham City, along with about 50 private hire vehicles. Last month, York City Council lost a legal challenge over the introduction of a colour policy. Meanwhile, Durham County Council supported plans to introduce a driving proficiency test for taxi drivers. |
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