Jonathan Fry: Trafford Council Backs London Taxis

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A bid to relax strict rules on the type of vehicle that can be used as a taxi in Trafford was thrown out on Thursday 15 December as councillors backed purpose-built cabs.

Members of Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, in Manchester, decided to review the conditions which dictate which vehicles can be used as Hackney carriages in the borough.

But after hearing the arguments for and against licensing alternate vehicles, such as the Peugeot E7, they decided to keep the current standards, which include the fact that hailed taxis should have a 25-foot turning circle and be fully-wheelchair-accessible, among other things.

The ruling came on the same day that the Public Carriage Office announced that it would retain the same Conditions of Fitness in London after a lengthy consultation process.

The decision is a victory for safety campaigners who maintain that only the classic black cabs should be licensed as Hackney carriages to stop rogue drivers posing as cabbies to lure unsuspecting passengers into their vehicles.

"The Trafford taxi trade was unanimously of the view that they did not want vehicles other than the classic cab to be licensed for Hackney carriage trade," said Andrew Overton, Market Development Consultant for LTI Vehicles, which manufactures the TXII, the latest incarnation of the London taxi.

"There were around 20 representatives of the taxi trade at the meeting and the members of the committee heard submissions by Allied Vehicles, LTI Vehicles and the drivers before making their decision.

"It was argued that the small turning circle was not relevant to taxis in Trafford but this was fiercely disputed by the drivers who said they used it numerous times on a daily basis.

"There were also a number of reservations expressed about the Peugeot E7 and in the end the committee decided to retain the current Conditions of Fitness."

The meeting heard that the iconic London taxis were seen as a critical benefit to Trafford because of their recognisability as a Hackney carriage which can be hailed and prevents confusion with private hire vehicles.

Other vehicles can be used as private hire vehicles in the borough.

Paul Brent, chairman of the Trafford Taxi Drivers’ and Owners’ Association, said: "It was unanimous in the association that we wanted to stick with the purpose-built vehicle.

"The main reasons are because of the safety aspect, its iconic status and recognisability, and the turning circle.

"Whichever way you look at it, nothing else is made for the job."

Paul, who runs South Manchester Radio Cabs, added that using the purpose-built vehicles meant that, when a woman was attacked after being picked up by a bogus taxi driver last Christmas, police immediately ruled out all Hackney carriage drivers as suspects because the vehicle description did not match.

Matthew Cheyne, Sales and Marketing Director for Coventry-based LTI Vehicles, said: "We are obviously delighted with the decision in Trafford.

"It means that the standard of taxi is kept high and passengers can be sure of getting home safely if they hail a black cab.

"Though first put together a number of years ago, the decisions in Trafford and London show that the rules that govern which vehicles can and can’t be used as a Hackney carriage are as relevant today as ever.

"We would urge other licensing authorities which do not current employ such rigorous standards to consider adopting them – and those that do to maintain them."

For more information about LTI Vehicles, log-on to www.lti.co.uk

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