Taxi Driver Online

FOOTBALL-MAD taxi drivers in Cheltenham have been told to curb their patriotic spirit during the World Cup.

Cabbies say the council has instructed them not to attach more than one St George's flag to their vehicles, for fear of compromising passenger safety.

The move, which has been enforced by the council's licensing team, has been criticised by drivers for being "mean-spirited" and "heavy-handed".

Gary Knight, 43, from Springbank, said: "It's plain ridiculous. I can't believe people at the council are so petty they want to stop us having flags.


"They don't do any harm. If anything they help to create a good atmosphere in the town."

Taxi drivers say the authority has told them they can attach one flag to their vehicles, but only on the driver's side window.

They say have been told to secure them in such a way that hey only remain attached if the window is closed.

"It's farcical," added Gary. "It's the height of summer so naturally people want to drive with the window open.

"The whole thing just seems like health and safety gone mad."

A 40-year-old taxi driver, who wanted to remain anonymous, was told he had overstepped the mark by attaching two St George's flags to his roof rack.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "The World Cup only comes around every four years and we, like everyone else, want to get involved. No wonder hardly any drivers have got them. With the rules being so tight it's not worth the hassle. But I think it's a shame and there's no need for it."

The council said flags of all nationalities were acceptable as long as they were attached safely. But a spokesman added: "The drivers have been told that they can display one flag, preferably on the drivers' side."

Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson raised the issue of World Cup decorations in the House of Commons last month, pushing for local authorities to allow people to fly St George's flags in homes, pubs and office buildings. He said: "Cheltenham Borough Council needs to get its act together. Flying flags from taxis is not going to do any harm. There is no need to take such a heavy-handed approach."

OPINION, P8
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Cabbies-fly-flag-moderation/article-2327401-detail/article.html

One flag is better than none at all.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Some common sense at last

In our local paper last week taxi drivers were told to keep flying the flag. Councillor Sue Taylor, Chair of Licensing for Wirral Council, said "I've advised licensing officers to adopt a common sense approach when it comes to taxi drivers flying flags and national team colours from their vehicle. I think it is okay for drivers to take an enthusiastic approach to supporting their national team at the World Cup Finals, if that's what they want to do"

Perhaps she knew something that we didn't and the flying of flags may only last a week or so

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I think a lot of them are at half mast anyway

I hate them with a passion, there's one lad round here who's got two flags on each window plus stickers on his windows. His car looks a right mess.

You should see some of the houses here, very extreme, but, if it keeps them happy there's no harm done really

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!