Plans to introduce controversial new rules for taxi drivers in Cumberland have been altered and will be reviewed.
Cumberland Council – which covers the former Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle areas – launched a consultation in July about a new policy it wants to introduce from April next year.
Initially, the authority wanted vehicles over 10 years old to no longer be allowed to be private hire hackney carriages. Drivers said at the time the policy could run them out of business.
However, at a meeting yesterday, members of the council’s regulatory committee met to consider the policy and removed the upper age limit for vehicles.
The initial consultation also included a dress code for drivers.
These included:
- Collared shirts, blouses, polo shirts, or sweatshirts must cover the shoulders and be capable of being worn tucked inside trousers, shorts or skirts.
- Shirts or blouses may be worn with a tie or open necked.
- All clothing must be clean, of smart appearance and in good condition.
- Trousers can be either full length or shorts.
- Skirts must be no shorter than 5 cm above the knee (when standing) and can be of any longer length, but must not impede the safe operation of the pedals
- Trousers, shorts or skirts must be tailored and made of one colour of material.
- Footwear for all drivers must fit around the heel of the foot. Wooden soled footwear is not permitted.
It said unacceptable standards included:
- Clothing not being kept in a clean and fresh condition or any items which have holes or rips.
- Words or graphics on any clothing that is of an offensive or suggestive nature.
- Sportswear eg football or rugby kits, tracksuits, beachwear, etc.
- Sandals with no heel straps, flip flops or any other form of footwear not secured around the heel.
- Not having either the top or bottom half of their bodies suitably clothed.
- No baseball caps or hoods worn up while in the vehicle.
At the meeting yesterday, members heard that the text of the dress code has been greatly reduced.
The draft policy also said drivers would also be banned from eating in their vehicles at any time, or allow passengers to eat in the vehicle at any time.
The new policy also wanted to introduce a penalty points system so if drivers break a rule – which also included not helping with a passenger’s luggage or eating in the vehicle – they would be investigated.
The consultation said: “Licensees involved will be asked to attend an interview. Once the investigation is completed, letters will be sent out detailing the outcome and a permanent record will be kept on the person’s file.”
The meeting yesterday heard further work will be carried out on reviewing the penalty point system before the draft policy returns to the committee for final approval in January.
The public gallery was packed with taxi drivers some of who had submitted questions to be asked during the public participation part of the agenda.
After the meeting, Christopher Bray, the secretary of the Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Association of Carlisle, said the committee seemed uninformed and did not know the rules and regulations of taxis.
He added: “I can’t see what difference it has made today, none whatsoever.”
He said he was pleased the age limit had been removed and added: “The age limit lad to be lifted so we have got some kind of result because at the moment the white cars, or saloon type taxis, have got to be three years or under to be licensed.”
Mr Bray said that he felt the draft policy could mean the end of the road for some drivers in Cumberland and added: “Without a doubt. We just can’t compete.”
Committee chairwoman Councillor Jill Perry (Bothel and Wharrels, Green Party) said they were hoping to get the right policy in January.
She said: “We’ve listened very carefully to the taxi drivers concerned. We extended the consultation period because it was felt that we were being too speedy with it.
“A number of questions were withdrawn because we had addressed the issues in the course of the meeting so I am happy that we have listened where we can and we will get a good policy in January.”
