Liverpool to Belfast: Foot passenger ferry tickets from £10 each way (Kids from £5)

Mateys, if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful to do this summer, why not take the ferry? Stenaline has just launched foot passenger fares between Liverpool and Belfast from just £10 per adult or £5 per child, each way. The 2 ports are really close to the city, perfect for a mini-break. Belfast… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

4* East London hotel stay from £35pppn: July & August dates - incl. weekends

Plan a trip to London this summer and book a bargain stay in a modern 4* hotel, just 20 minutes from central London, from as little as £35 per person, per night -- including some Friday and Saturday nights! We've found lots of dates in July and August available; at that price you could even… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Calls To Close 'Loophole' Allowing Minicab Drivers From Outside Winchester To Operate In City

TAXI drivers in Winchester are calling for an end to a loophole allowing Minicabs from other parts of the country to operate in the city.

Colin Smith, a registered Hackney taxi driver, says private hire drivers from Wolverhampton in the Midlands, are operating in Winchester, despite being licensed miles away in their home city.

Now Winchester City Council has revealed it is lobbying the government to change the law. 

In a letter to the council, Mr Smith said: “At the moment there are 15 or more Wolverhampton plated minicabs working in Winchester... Instead of applying to Winchester City Council (as they don’t think they can pass the relatively easy knowledge test), they bypass this and get a licence very easily at Wolverhampton, or even TfL where PH licenses are given out like sweets, they then can work (cross border) as a private hire worker.”

Mr Smith also raised concerns that these drivers don’t pay fees to the council, are not subject to safety spot checks and are taking work from struggling local cabbies.

A spokesman for the council (WCC) responded to the letter, saying: “The Deregulation Act 2015 enables private hire taxi operators to sub-contract their work to a driver licensed by another local authority subject to certain requirements. 

It's the private hire operators in Winchester that are taking advantage of this, actually sending drivers to become licensed by Wolverhampton City Council, and the drivers can then return to Winchester and work for these operators.

“WCC is writing to the government and to Wolverhampton City Council to explain that this current practice is detrimentally affecting our controls over the private hire fleet operating in the district.

“WCC is asking TFL (Transport for London) to join with them and lobby the Government to change the law but until this is done then our controls over the practice are limited.” (Good luck with that one)

However, a spokesman for Minicab firm Wintax, the oldest in the city, says that the real problem is the council’s “extremely hard” tests.

The spokesman told the Chronicle: “I myself currently do not have any of those [Wolverhampton licensed] drivers working with us. I still say if the likes of Uber are going to exploit the market then why not the take the same advantage as they did. It is all legal.

“The main issue in Winchester is the test has always been extremely hard for some unknown reason. All drivers from any council that has a legit PH plate and badge have paid for this and have had an enhanced DBS check at the least.”

He added: “I can not fault [Wolverhampton drivers] because they have just taken advantage of a loop hole that gives them more control. I agree there should be a balance but there has always been an imbalance in Winchester.”

Both Winchester and Wolverhampton city councils have been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.

In the past the city council has decided to let the market decide how many licensed PH vehicles should operate across the Winchester district. This has seen the number of Minicabs  greatly increase since the early 1990s.

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Late summer Majorca from £153pp: Flights & 7nts Cala d'Or aparthotel (2-4 share)

Book an end-of-season bargain now, and you'll have the whole summer to look forward to your great value holiday to the island of Majorca, safe in the knowledge that you've scored a brilliant price. Starting from just £153 per person, based on 4 sharing, you'll get return flights from the UK, plus 7 nights in… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

End-of-season Costa Brava from £96pp: 4nt group getaway - incl. flights & apartment (4-share)

Arr mateys! If you can hold out til the end of summer, we've spotted an excellent value for money holiday to Costa Brava, staying at the 4* Blau Apartments in popular Lloret de Mar just one minute walk from the beach. We've based this holiday on 4 people sharing and it starts from just £96… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

2 weeks in the Mexican sun all inclusive from £882pp incl. flights, hotel w/ private beach & more

Get your summer off to a flying start this year with not 7 but 14 nights in June, relaxing in the Mexican sun. Jet off to Puerto Vallarta in the next few weeks and relish the luxurious surroundings of the 4* Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa which boasts it's own stretch of private beach.… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spain-to-Brazil cruise from £339pp: Epic 13nts with full board (go all inclusive for £130 more)

This next deal is a super early bird offer (it doesn't depart until 2019) but the early bird gets the bargain as this 13-night cruise works out at just £26 per person, per night -- the total price is £339 per person, based on 2 sharing. You'll sail from the Spanish city of Barcelona to… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wolverhampton taxi driver protest was about “protectionism and self-interest” says councillor

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A protest at Wolverhampton Council in response to the cheap and easy-to-gain minicab licences handed out was branded nothing more than “protectionism and self-interest” by a councillor.

Taxi drivers travelled in from around the Midlands to hold the protest outside the Wolverhampton Civic Centre on Wednesday. The protest was sparked after a recent Freedom of Information request showed roughly 4,000 private hire drivers who lived outside of the Wolverhampton licensing area had acquired a licence from there. Drivers then used their Wolverhampton licence back in their hometowns, which included places like Weymouth and Blackpool, as part of a cross-border licensing loophole.

One driver in the Express and Star who attended the protest said: “What they are doing is morally and ethically wrong. They are destroying the lives of thousands of taxi drivers.

"Why should we suffer the detriment because Wolverhampton council decide to make a profit from a fast licensing application?”

However, Councillor Alan Bolshaw, chair of licencing at Wolverhampton council said: "A small number of Hackney Carriage drivers from Coventry arrived in Wulfruna Street to protest about increased competition from the private hire trade. Coventry Hackney Carriage fares have recently been identified as the most expensive in the country. This small protest was about protectionism and self-interest and passed off without incident."

May 19, 2018 at 10:06AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Direct flights to Orlando, Florida from £217pp

Pirates, get yourselves a trip to Florida this year with these sensationally cheap Orlando flights we spotted on our Flights Finder! Flights are direct from several UK cities with TUI, with an inflight meal included. We've seen availability in May and June - a perfect time to visit as the strongest heat of the summer… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Life in the Lakes: Stunning 4* Lake Windermere spa hotel stay from £59pppn incl. breakfast

Why not whisk your favourite shipmate off on a romantic staycation to one of the UK's top spots, the Lake District. Take in the jaw dropping views of Lake Windermere from the4* Beech Hill Hotel & Spa and relish their top notch hospitality this autumn. Breakfast is also included in this deal and you can… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Chic 4* Lake Como escape 4nts from £194pp - incl. half board, hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Holiday like the stars with an escape to beautiful Lake Como in Italy (holiday home to George Clooney, amongst others.) You'll be staying at the well-rated 4* Seven Park Hotel with half board included, an inviting pool along with some scenic views! Holiday details Travel duration: 4 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

TfL: Unattended vehicles at taxi ranks impact working drivers and potential customers

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Approaching a working rank only to find it blocked by unattended vehicles is a real red rag to taxi drivers.

Gary Snewing, Ranks Manager, explains: ‘This is one of the main problems at ranks because it causes a multitude of complications. If the rank is full because of unattended vehicles it means other taxis have to drive by. Also, drivers leave vehicles not just at the head or back of the rank but in the middle as well, which means the other taxis have to keep driving round them: it’s basically stopping the flow forward on the rank.’

According to Edgerton Rodgers, TfL’s Compliance Resource Manager, it’s an increasing problem across the network, but especially at suburban and central London ranks. Between 1 January and 31 December 2017, 982 taxis were reported for being unattended on a rank.

‘We will send our compliance officers to areas where the trades and other sources have told us there is a problem,’ explains Edgerton. ‘Officers will take action against private hire vehicles found working or left unattended on a rank and report the drivers of unattended taxis, which can result in warning letters being issued. Repeat offenders will ultimately have their fitness to hold a licence reviewed. I would encourage drivers to continue to report any non-compliance information to us so we can be made aware of any issues impacting the legitimate trade and improve the service for customers wanting to use ranks.’

Although there are problems with members of the public and private hire vehicles stopping on ranks, unattended taxis are also a cause of concern. Gary says: ‘One of the biggest gripes we get from taxi drivers is about other taxi drivers leaving their taxis unattended on suburban ranks.’

At a recent meeting with Redbridge Borough Council, TPH was told about problems at two ranks that had six unattended taxis sitting on them for more than an hour. This meant there were no taxis available on any the ranks to pick up passengers. ‘This is very frustrating for working taxi drivers,’ explains Gary. ‘Also, if local authorities see the ranks being misused like this they become very reluctant to give us more ranks in the future.’

May 18, 2018 at 05:35PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Fujairah All inclusive family beach break 5nts from £549pp - inc. flights, resort & transfers

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself to a private beach escape in the lap of luxury right by the Indian Ocean. You will be staying at the top-rated 5* Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah on a peaceful stretch of pristine sand surrounded by tropical gardens, offering a gorgeous pool scene, fine dining and spa… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Summer & autumn Lake Ohrid trips from £88pp - incl. 3nts hotel & flights

How about spending your summer by the lake pirates? Lake Ohrid is postcard perfect: pretty mountains and serene azure waters provide a gorgeous backdrop to the cobbled streets and medieval castle of the Old Town of Ohrid. Wizzair is having a flash sale on all its routes, so until May 19th direct flights are even… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

California State push for Uber to go Electric. Should all cities globally do the same?

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If a new legislation is approved, ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft will be forced into running a zero emissions fleet to combat air pollution in California. Automakers worldwide are experiencing increased pressure to design and manufacture zero emission vehicles, or as some would say "Go Green", but with more and more vehicles hitting the streets of major cities since the rise of E-hailing apps, the time may have come to push such firms to also do their bit to tackle emission problems. If the Billwas to go through, ride-hailing firms would need to start offering a minimum of 20% of their rides in zero emission vehicles by 2023, rising to 100% by 2030. London city has already moved to tackle emission problems by introducing the new eCity taxi, also know as the TXE by the London Electric Vehicle Company which is now available to purchase for London's iconic taxi drivers and other Hackney Carriage taxi drivers in some cities across Britain. Currently Uber London are battling desperately to gain trust with London's transport regulators TfL in hope of winning an appeal against the decision to not renew their operators licence. But if Uber were to be successful, surely it would make good sense to push them to run a completely zero-emissions capable fleet too in London. Which city do you work in? Do you think zero emission vehicles are the way forward for the industry? And if so do you think all Taxis, private hire and e-hailing drivers should comply with the same vehicle legislations?Let us know in the comments below.

May 18, 2018 at 03:52PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Visit Dom Rep this June from £508pp - incl. 7nts all inclusive resort, flights & transfers

Wowzers pirates! Act fast and you can get away to the Caribbean this June for an amazing price. You'll get 7 nights of the all inclusive treatment at Riu Naiboa, situated just outside Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Direct flights are included in this package, alongside bags, transfers and ATOL protection. Everything you need!… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

PayPal set to buy iZettle for £1.6bn

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PayPal is set to buy fellow digital payment firm iZettle for £1.6bn.

The Swedish financial start-up iZetttle becomes the biggest acquisition made by PayPal, who are currently valued at £66bn, since it left eBay in 2015. Both PayPal and iZettle are heavily used in the taxi trade especially in London. Drivers tend to choose the handheld devices over more traditional payment providers due to lower transaction fees and the flexibility of owning the device with no fixed contracts. The companies have said that by merging with PayPal, iZettle would be able to make quicker inroads globally especially in the US market place.

Via an open letter Jacob de Geer, iZettle's chief executive, said the partnership would "provide tremendous benefits to our merchants who will have access to an even wider range of tools to help them get paid, sell smarter and grow".Dan Schulman from PayPal said: "Small businesses are the engine of the global economy and we are continuing to expand our platform to help them compete and win online, in-store and via mobile."

May 18, 2018 at 02:30PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

See the Swiss Alps in Summer: Return flights from £13

Basel is paradise to culture-seekers; home to 40 museums and art galleries and a perfect blend of Old Town glamour with modern architecture, visitors could be kept occupied for hours just wandering around this Swiss city on the banks of the Rhine River. We've discovered peak summer season flights to this destination, which is also… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Sizzling Santorini late summer holiday from £316pp - 4nts hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, Santorini is simply stunning and a cheap way to visit is to head out when summer is over but the weather should still be nice and you will escape the mad crowds. This Santorini holiday departs in October and is for 4 nights - however this is can be changed to suit. Holiday details… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Thailand summer beach paradise: 7nts in Khao Lak from £618pp - incl. 4* resort, breakfast & flights

Pirates, we can't resist the beautiful beaches of southern Thailand, and some of the best in the region are to be found around Khao Lak. Expedia are offering a great deal to Khaolak Bhandai Resort & Spa, a lush 4* property that is a few minutes' walk from those white sands and turquoise waters. Flights… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT