SAFETY checks were carried out on 48 taxis and private hire
vehicles across Bath & North East Somerset on Thursday, June 10 as
part of an operation by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Avon
and Somerset Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.
The vehicles were stopped and inspected for mechanical safety,
comfort, cleanliness and compliance with licensing regulations.
The identities of the drivers were also checked to ensure they
were fully licensed and that insurance and MOT details were up to
date.
Out of the 48 vehicles only three were found to have mechanical
defects that warranted two immediate and one delayed prohibition
notices to be issued – this meant that two vehicles were suspended
from service immediately until the defect was rectified.
Officers tried to keep disruption to the trade to a minimum and
generally the drivers welcomed the initiative.
A number of drivers even presented themselves for an inspection
voluntarily, an indication of the commitment of the majority of
the taxi and Private Hire trade in Bath & North East Somerset to
maintaining a high standard of service.
John Dowding, Senior Licensing Officer, said: “At the end of the
day all parties involved were very pleased with the standards of
the vehicles inspected and the levels of co-operation provided by
the drivers.
“I think it speaks volumes about the professionalism of the
members of the taxi and private hire trade in the Bath & North
East Somerset area.”
Cllr Vic Pritchard, Executive Member for Community Safety and
Housing, said: “This initiative clearly shows that the travelling
public who use the services of taxi’s and private hire cars in
Bath & North East Somerset can rest assured that they will be
travelling in safety and comfort, it’s a sign of the cooperative
relationship between the trade and Bath & North East Somerset
Council.”
For more information, contact:
John Dowding, Senior Licensing Officer, on Tel: 01225 477689 or
e-mail john_dowding@bathnes.gov.uk
For more comment, contact:
Cllr Vic Pritchard, Executive Member for Community Safety and
Housing, on Tel: 01275 333159 or e-mail vic_pritchard@bathnes.gov.uk
