Taxi Driver Online

Wyre Forest taxi policy report ordered


A REPORT has been ordered on Wyre Forest District Council’s taxi policy.

The council’s Conservative administration has asked Mike Parker, director with responsibility for taxi licensing, to provide an update on the implementation of the Vehicle Licence Deregulation Plan.

The plan, approved by the council in August, 2005, included controversial proposals for all hackney carriages to be wheelchair accessible by 2013.

New licences would only be granted where operators and vehicles fulfilled “prescribed conditions”, including being fully wheelchair accessible, the plan stated.

Taxi drivers have opposed the scheme, claiming many disabled people cannot easily use the specially designed vehicles.

Conservative councillor, Anne Hingley, cabinet member for housing, health and rural affairs, said: “The council has taken brave steps to improve the quality of the taxi service in Wyre Forest, including the accessibility.

“I am proud of the progress we have made and it is right now that we take stock.”

The deregulation plan also included meeting the Government’s request to review the case for restricting the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences.

Mr Parker will report his findings to the council’s licensing and environmental committee.

A council spokesman said the plan had been “implemented successfully to date as agreed by the council”.

The spokesman added: “The update will enable members to consider the impact of the council’s hackney carriage policy to date and to take into account any current national guidance or best practice on the issue.”

Conservative councillor, John Campion, council Leader, said: “It is timely that progress is reported upon by the council’s officers concerning taxi issues and that elected members are fully appraised of all of the relevant and latest facts.”

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