Pendle’s Taxi Licensing Policy has been updated to improve safety standards in vehicles and Pendle Borough Council wants your views on the proposed changes.

Councillor David Whipp, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “The safety of passengers and drivers is our top priority for Pendle’s taxis. 

“Anyone who uses taxis in Pendle is being asked to give their views and taxi drivers and taxi operators in the borough are also encouraged to comment.”

Safety proposals which are being put forward include:

• Existing vehicles continue until their 12-year age limit but existing and new euro 6, hybrid, electric or wheelchair accessible vehicles will have no age limit. Any new vehicle application will only be accepted for euro 6, hybrid, electric or wheelchair accessible vehicles.
• An annual MOT will be required which can be issued from any garage and a six-monthly MOT for any vehicles over six years old. Any vehicle less than six years old which fails an MOT on any dangerous or major items will require an MOT every six months.
• Vehicles with three MOT failures classified as dangerous or major items over a rolling two-year period will result in the owner being called to the Taxi Licensing Committee.
• Daily vehicle checks will be required either by an approved app or a paper check. Failure to carry out a check, comply with what is recorded on the check or being untruthful will result in the driver having their licence suspended.
• A sign will be displayed incorporating the licence number, pre-booking information and how customers can make a complaint to the Council.

Councillor Lola Whipp, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Local Planning and Infrastructure, said: “We initially proposed daily vehicle checks in line with Government guidance and suggested an innovative way of doing that via an online app.

“In December 2024, the rollout of the app was paused to allow further discussions with the taxi trade.

“Working with trade representatives we made the proposed changes to the Taxi Licensing Policy including each taxi having a daily mechanical check.

“If you use hackney carriages or private hire taxis, work in the taxi trade or are involved in the industry in any way, tell us what you think about the updated Policy.”

The draft Taxi Licensing Policy can be viewed on Pendle Borough Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/taxi 

You can comment by emailing taxi.licensing@pendle.gov.uk or writing to Assistant Director, Planning & Regulatory Services, Town Hall, Nelson, BB9 7LG.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9 July.

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Police officers are appealing for help to identify three men they believe may have information regarding an incident in which a taxi driver was threatened.

Between 2am and 2.30am Sunday, March 30, a taxi driver was asked to drive his passengers to the BP Garage in Cottingham Road, Corby.

Upon arrival, the passengers exited the vehicle and approached the night-time service window to buy drinks, but took items from outside the garage, including firewood, anti-freeze and coal.

However, when the taxi driver challenged them, one produced a small, bladed item, and threatened him. He then drove them towards Cottingham, where they got out of the vehicle and ran away.

Officers investigating the incident believe the men in the images may be able to assist with their enquiries and are appealing for them, or anyone who may recognise them, to get in touch.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Information can also be submitted online at www.northants.police.uk/RO and crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.

Please quote incident number 25000185815 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.

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Worcester City Council has revoked the licences of ten taxi drivers over the past three years, signalling a firm stance on maintaining high standards and enforcing regulations within the city's taxi services.

The revocations, revealed through a Freedom of Information request, highlight a range of offences leading to the revocations.

According to the figures, five licences were revoked due to "driving standards," while two drivers lost their licences for "non-compliance with condition of licence."

Additionally, one revocation was due to driver conduct, another for a combination of these issues, and one driver's licence was withdrawn due to criminal convictions.

Councillor Richard Udall, chair of the council’s licensing committee, underscored the seriousness of the council's approach. "I’m very serious about keeping high standards for taxi drivers, ensuring our standards are followed and having sufficient enforcement to keep any offenders under observation," he stated.

Cllr Udall acknowledged the gravity of such actions, adding: "Revoking a licence is a serious step - it’s withdrawing a person’s ability to earn a living, which is why it’s reserved for the worst or repeat offenders."

While confident that "the vast majority of our taxi drivers obey the rules - they are quality drivers and deliver a good service to the public," Cllr Udall affirmed the council's resolve: "However, we are determined to find and remove those who break the rules and ignore our policies, they will have nowhere to hide.”

In a significant shift, the council is enhancing its monitoring of taxi drivers' compliance. "We currently rely on the public to report problems and concerns to us. However, that will be changing,” Cllr Udall revealed.

He expressed particular concern over "complaints such as attitude and rudeness and the acceptance of taxi drivers of assistance dogs, disabled passengers and short journeys - this is a particular concern."

To address these issues proactively, the council is now deploying "mystery shoppers to ensure compliance. Those who fail the tests will be coming before a licensing sub-committee to face the consequences of their actions.”

In addition to internal compliance, Worcester City Council has also been tackling the misuse of city centre taxi ranks. A project dubbed "Operation Rome," launched last year following complaints from licence holders and the public, targeted private hire vehicles from other council areas using Worcester’s designated taxi ranks.

By March, this operation had identified 85 incidents involving 140 vehicles, leading to formal warning letters being sent to drivers from Wychavon, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton.

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A multi-agency enforcement operation in Warrington town centre on Saturday evening, June 7, led to the suspension of one taxi driver and the delayed suspension of two others.

Officers from Cheshire and Merseyside police forces worked alongside licensing teams from Warrington and Wolverhampton councils to crack down on taxi and private hire vehicle infringements.

The operation came amidst concerns about drivers obtaining licences from areas outside their residency, with data indicating that up to 96 per cent of taxi driver licences issued in Wolverhampton last year were for individuals living elsewhere.

A Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed the details of the operation: "Officers on the Warrington town centre beat were deployed on a taxi licensing operation on Saturday evening."

He added: "They were assisted by colleagues from the wider Warrington beat team, as well as special constables from both Cheshire and Merseyside. Officers were deployed across several sites around the town centre, with the support of taxi licensing enforcement officers from both Warrington and Wolverhampton councils."

The spokesperson elaborated on the outcomes, stating: "A total of 27 vehicles were stopped, and the drivers were spoken to, with several infringements and offences dealt with.

"This led to the suspension of one taxi driver and the delayed suspension of two more. Several motoring offences were dealt with by Cheshire and Merseyside police officers.”

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An Uber driver was the victim of a violent and unprovoked assault by two male passengers during a journey in Derker, Oldham.

One passenger attempted to strangle the driver, while the other repeatedly punched him — all while the vehicle was in motion, putting both the driver and the public at serious risk.

Thanks to the swift response from a member of the Oldham Private Hire Drivers Association (OPHDA), the injured driver was promptly taken to Accident & Emergency for medical attention and thankfully we have been told he is OK.

Oldham private hire drivers association told PHTM: "We strongly condemn this attack and urge all drivers to remain vigilant. If you experience or witness any similar incidents, please report them immediately to the police and OPHDA."

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