
A joint safety operation by Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed that the vast majority of taxis and private hire vehicles operating in the area that were checked are roadworthy.
The unannounced inspections were carried out to ensure licensed cabs continue to meet strict safety and reliability standards for local passengers.
During the joint operation, officers thoroughly examined a total of 10 hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.
Eight of the inspected vehicles met all safety criteria immediately, while two were issued with delayed prohibition notices and given seven days to resolve minor faults.
Both affected vehicles were repaired on the same day, allowing their prohibitions to be lifted swiftly.
Reassuring the public on the importance of these routine inspections, Councillor Ian Brown, chairman of the council’s licensing committee, emphasised the commitment to maintaining standards.
“It’s vital that vehicles used to transport people around meet the highest standards,” Councillor Brown stated.
“The council and DVSA will continue to carry out regular inspections of licensed vehicles in the borough to help ensure standards are kept high and passengers, and drivers, are kept safe.”

The drivers accepted unbooked fares from undercover licensing officers - violating strict regulations that stipulate only hackneys licensed within Trafford can be hailed directly in the borough.

Despite clear signage prohibiting taxis, local cabbies continue to block the area near the Platform 4 entrance, creating severe congestion for pedestrians and other motorists, especially during evening hours.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28%, whilst tariff two will see a 10% rise.

Scot McCluskey, 37, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to assaulting the cabbie to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Liberty Mitchell, who had passed her driving test just three weeks prior to the December 2022 crash, was originally sentenced to six years and eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

An investigation has revealed a dramatic rise in complaints against cabbies across Oxfordshire, with local councils logging 714 reports over 2025/26 - a significant leap from 601 the previous year

Following separate hearings on July 7, 2026, councillors concluded that each case raised serious doubts about whether the individuals remained "fit and proper" to hold or be granted a licence

The committee heard that the 10 per cent boost was considered a "reasonable" adjustment to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses since maximum fares were last raised in October 2022.

The victim, a woman in her 80s, had already lost over £3,000 to a scammer impersonating her bank who later booked a cab to collect her card under the guise of destroying it.

Officers from Cheshire Police teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council to pull over 12 taxis and private hire vehicles for random checks.

Following representations from licensing officers, the driver, and his representative, the council concluded that he was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

James Thomas, 30, from Swansea, had been attending a Christmas party at the NEC in Birmingham on December 21 with his partner while a babysitter looked after their ten-month-old child.

For nearly 20 years, an armada of hackney carriages has operated under the informal banner of "Poppy Cabs," providing free transport for war veterans to the annual national Remembrance Day service.

Under current rules, the DfT authorises driverless vehicles on public roads, but TfL holds licensing power over paid passenger services and must grant consent before commercial operations can begin.

Cabbies report that youths on bikes and electric scooters flee the scene quickly, forcing drivers to avoid hotspots such as Parson Cross, Shiregreen, Southey Green, and Woodthorpe during peak hours.

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