Wrong colour taxi fine fear
Wednesday 20th May 2009, 6:00PM BST.
Les Wolfenden with his black taxi
A taxi driver in Oswestry could still end up £5,000 out of pocket after councillors were unable to decide whether he should be allowed to continue to use his car which is the “wrong” colour.
Les Wolfenden asked Shropshire Council’s licensing committee yesterday for dispensation to allow him to carry on using his black Vauxhall Vectra estate.
Under council rules, only vehicles licensed as Hackney carriages can be black. Private hire vehicles can be any colour except black.
Mr Wolfenden, from Ellesmere, has a Hackney licence and he wants to change it to a private hire vehicle licence.
He said he was not aware of the rule and would lose £5,000 if he had to replace the car.
The decision has been deferred to the council’s strategic committee.
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other than in the imagination of the headline writer is there any suggestion of a fine for having “the wrong colour taxi”
the driver has a hackney licence and wants to become private hire. the loss of £5000 is on the value of the vehicle if he needs to change it.
I’m sure if you had tried hard enough you could have blamed the EU.
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What IS it with council officials and councillors – do they LIKE making petty rules to show how big and important they are?
Who cares what colour the taxi-hire car is as long as it is roadworthy and comfortable, and the fare is reasonable.
Who were the jobsworths who created this mess and who were the councillors who voted for the rules – would be nice to know if any of them are asking for your vote on 4th June!
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The rules are the rules. why should he be exempted? if I open a business I have to abide by the current regulations why should a taxi driver be exempt?
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Now! New improved Shropshire County Council You-Nit-re Authority. You know it makes nonsense!
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Try these guys mate, lots of benefits to doing it this way, and I estimate it’ll cost less than a £1000
http://www.carbonskin.co.uk/services.html
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There has recently been a court case in York regarding the colour of taxis and private hire cars, the judge said a taxi is a vehicle with a sign on the roof and a PH does not have one but may have a company name and phone number on the doors
http://www.thepress.co.uk/news/4182701.Council_left_feeling_blue_after_black_cabs_plan_is_opposed_by_driver_called_Browne/
If any of you require confirmation of this go to http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk and read the forums
http://taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10021&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Remember a council cannot impose any rules outwith the act, if they try and do so appeal to a magistrate
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