‘Intended use’ policy welcomed by Bradford’s cabbies
Bradford Council has welcomed moves by a Lancashire local authority to put an end to the problem of taxis operating across the border in Bradford.
A survey found recently that around 200 private hire vehicles operating in Bradford were licensed as Hackney Carriages in the town of Rossendale.
Council taxi officers were concerned that safety checks on the outside vehicles and drivers were not as stringent and that they had no powers to enforce safety rules on taxis not licensed in Bradford.
When random spot checks have been carried out by Rossendale officers visiting the Bradford area, a higher proportion of Rossendale licensed vehicles have been recorded as having safety defects than are recorded in similar checks on vehicles licensed in Bradford.
Drivers licensed in Rossendale also avoided more expensive insurance premiums.
After senior councillors held cross-border talks about the issue, Rossendale taxi bosses have taken action.
They have introduced a new ‘Intended Use’ policy which requires every applicant for a taxi licence in Rossendale to declare where the taxi will be operating the majority of the time.
If this is outside the area, then it is likely that the licence will not be granted.
Bradford Council had been pressing for this policy to be introduced in talks with Rossendale. New applicants will have to qualify immediately but existing licence holders will not be affected until they need to renew their licence in 12 to 18 month’s time.
Bradford Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Val Slater, said: “We are glad that Rossendale Council has taken action to resolve this issue after we discussed it with them.
“Our position is that the safety of taxi users is paramount and this move should eventually ensure that anyone using licensed taxis in the Bradford district can be confident that the drivers and vehicles are properly checked for safety and insured for the area in which they operate.”
