Shropshire taxi drivers accuse council of ignoring their fears over regulations

A number of taxi companies used Shropshire Council's Strategic Licensing Committee hearing, held at Shirehall, to call for a rethink over rules governing emissions and safety ratings for vehicles.

But, despite being told the regulations would cost jobs and potentially force taxi firms out of business, council officers rejected the request and said policies have to ensure public safety.

Tim Higgins, from Oswestry, was joined by a number of other drivers at the meeting yesterday who all warned the policies would cost jobs.

He said: "What I am shocked about really is the lady who got up to speak from Access Cars, she explained to the council that people are losing their jobs yet they didn't seem to take that on board. It does not seem to be of any particular importance to them, It seems they have made their decision without considering what the response will be in the real world.

"People have tried to comply with policy but in reality it is not working out for us because people are losing jobs."

Speaking after the meeting, Tina Brookes of Access Cars said she was frustrated at the council's response.

She said: "They have ignored it. Completely ignored it. They did not have sufficient understanding to ask any questions about it. We have lost three cars in two months and those people are now unemployed.

"It is quite concerning for all of us, over the next 12 months you could see 60 per cent of the taxis that are on the streets disappear."

The concerns centre around the requirement for vehicles to meet the NCAP 5 safety standard, and the Euro 5 emissions ratings.

Drivers say that only a number of vehicles reach both requirements and they are more expensive than what they consider acceptable alternatives.

The council had been asked to lower the requirements to NCAP 4, and to extend the transition period for emission ratings by two years.

A council officer admitted that drivers were facing higher prices to replace vehicles because of the regulations.

Mandy Beever, a public protection officer said: "We have received comment that prices at auctions have increased based on demand."

In response to the requests, Frances Darling, the authority's senior commissioner for public protection said the rules had been imposed to ensure public safety.

She said: "We do hear what people are saying in the room but are also conscious of a number of people who have gone and done what the policy requires of them in terms of getting the right vehicles to satisfy the requirements.

"The policy is fundamentally about protecting the public and ensuring public safety and we have to, as a council, put that at the forefront of the public safety process."

An official response from the council reiterated Mrs Darling's comments, and said financial considerations should not be placed above public health.

It said: "The council appreciates the proposals suggesting an extension to the transition periods; however, having considered these it is the council's view that this will only serve to prolong the fundamental issues that proprietors do have to take on board whilst meeting all the requirements of a licensed operator.

"The council does not accept that simply removing the standards or giving too much weight to the economic implications is an appropriate way forward given the importance of ensuring the safety and promoting the health of the public."