FRIGHTENING SAFETY FAILURES: 23 TAXI LICENCES SUSPENDED IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE

Huntingdonshire District Council has issued a wave of licence suspensions after a series of inspections revealed what local officials have described as a "frightening" number of dangerous vehicles on the road.

Between October and mid-January, the local authority suspended 23 licences, with 10 vehicles sidelined for "major defects" and four pulled for "dangerous defects" that "pose an immediate risk to the driver, passenger, or public safety."

The crackdown uncovered life-threatening mechanical issues, including "severely worn brake pads or disks, tyres with exposed cords, cracked suspension parts, or fuel leaks."

While major defects—such as illuminated brake warning lights and non-functioning windscreen wipers—may not be immediately lethal, officials noted they are "serious faults" that compromise roadworthiness of a vehicle.

Beyond mechanical failures, two drivers were suspended for failing to provide mandatory medical updates, and five vehicles were taken off the road due to accident damage.

During a meeting of the licensing and protection committee on January 28, Councillor Barry Banks voiced his alarm, stating: “I find it a bit frightening, obviously how long have they been driving round with these major defects?”

In response, council officers confirmed they do undertake additional checks such as joint operations with Cambridgeshire County Council at schools and roadside safety checks with the police.

Regarding medical suspensions, officials clarified that they "suspend them on safety grounds" if drivers fail to to provide an updated medical certificate, a requirement that must be met every six years, or annually for those over 65.

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