Man kidnapped by fake Birmingham cabbie

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A fake Birmingham cabbie kidnapped a lone reveller, before forcing him to hand over his bank card and PINPolice are appealing for information after the suspect drove up to the 29-year-old man on Broad Street at around 4am on 24 June.He offered him a lift for £10. The man jumped in, believing it was a taxi.Officers want to speak to this man about the incidentBut instead of being taken home, he was plied with whiskey and cigarettes and bundled into a second car, where he was attacked by four Asian men.He was threatened and forced to hand over his phone, bank cards, PIN number and personal banking details.The men drove him around the city before kicking him out and leaving him to find his own way home with no cash, and no means of contacting family and friends.As soon as he could, he reported the incident to police.Police are also seeking these three men in connection with what happened

As a result of extensive enquires and a large scale CCTV operation, officers now have images of four men suspected of withdrawing funds and using the stolen cards in the days following the kidnapping.Anyone who recognises these men are asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101 ext. 845 6210. To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.DC Andrew Reid, who is investigating the case said: “Although offences like this are extremely rare, there is always a risk when approaching taxis on the street or getting into a taxi that has approached you. Many people may not know this, but if a driver asks if you require a taxi they’re actually committing a criminal offence.“The safest way to use a private hire taxi is to book directly with a reputable private hire operator via phone, app, online or in person. This guarantees you will be driven by a licensed, insured driver in a licensed, insured vehicle. You can also use a licensed hackney carriage which is licensed within the area you are in.“If there are any problems there will be a record of your journey, your driver and the vehicle used which means they can be traced if needed.”Those with information about what’s happened are asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101, or Crimestoppers. Please quote crime number 20BW/143729W/18.

July 27, 2018 at 01:58PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

TfL study showing most cyclists riding under 20mph doesn’t show the full Lycra clad picture

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The majority of cyclists in London that use the new Cycle Super Highways are riding no quicker than 20mph, so says a new report conducted by regulators Transport for London.

At first glance this would come as a shock to motorists sharing the road space with lightweight carbon-fibre bikes with middle-class men dressed in Lyrca trying to break personal records along the Embankment and around Regents Park.

It would also leave pedestrians perplexed as they wait to cross at most zebra crossings with cyclists seemingly unable to find their brakes.

Throw in the inclusion of hard-working risk-taking couriers who seem to favour fixed gear bikes, which can reach speeds upwards of 40mph, and most car owners are left scratching their heads as to why they would need such bikes if they are only travelling at 10mph?

The Cycle Infrastructure Monitoring report released by TfL was created to promote the perceived success of the Cycle Super Highways (CSH) littering the capital’s streets and bringing London’s roads to a grinding smog ridden halt.

Video analysis and automatic counters were placed on carefully selected narrow sections of the CSH where riders can only go as fast as the cyclist in front of them. In fact, 55% of cyclists were riding at a leisurely 10-15mph, 30% found second gear travelling at 16-20mph and only 4% were testing the speed camaras with speeds above 20mph.

So what does this report prove? It does prove that most CSH riders travel under 20mph and that most to stop when instructed to.What it doesn’t prove is the shenanigans that go on outside of the lanes and in surrounding roads as Michael Smith from Highgate try’s to replicate Bradley Wiggins on his way to work.

As seen by motorists on a daily basis, those cyclists held up and wanting to go quicker than their fellow riders plodding along on a “Boris bike” will eventually leave the multi-million pound CSH and take to the road. These riders are not included in the report.

Many cyclists stay away from the CSH altogether in a bid for freedom to take quicker moving routes away from the slower riders hampering their times.

This report is a pat on the back to those law abiding riders who are in no rush using the lanes on a warm sunny day. What this report doesn’t do is reflect the whole picture on London’s streets away from TfL’s showpiece disaster.

July 27, 2018 at 01:06PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

September goals: Majorca group getaway from £175pp - 7nts hotel & flights

Ahoy party pirates, how about heading to Majorca this September with your squad for under £180 per person. For this Majorca getaway you will stay in a super cute hotel for a week and you can upgrade to include breakfast at time of booking. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Lovely jubbly London: 4* hotel stay in trendy Shoreditch from £35pppn

Pirates, if you're treating yourself to a show, play or exciting event in the capital, here's a well-priced hotel that might suit: stop over in the 4* The RE London Shoreditch from £35pppn and enjoy the trendy, conveniently-placed location. Offer Details: Many travel durations possible - 1 night minimum stay Sample dates spanning August -… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The road to zero is on diversion says LTDA’s McNamara

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Recently, lots of you have been contacting the LTDA about problems with rapid charging for the new electric cabs.

We all know that we need to do our part for the environment, but we also need support from the Government nationally, and at City Hall, to speed up the shift to electric taxis. The Department for Transport has finally launched its Road to Zero strategy, which we’ve been waiting on for months. The strategy is supposed to set out how the Government plans to tackle the dangerously high levels of air pollution being emitted by cars, vans and taxis. I was relieved to see the Government open up £6 million of an original £20 million funding pot for local authorities to bid for money to install on-street taxi charging infrastructure. I have repeatedly told ministers that the taxi trade is keen to do its bit to clean up London’s vehicles, but the fact that there are still only a few rapid charging points dotted around the city centre is making it near impossible for cabbies to make the switch. If we can’t charge the new cabs, there’s not much point in having them! But I was disappointed to see the strategy print old news. There aren’t any new incentives for the taxi trade to go green. The Government is still planning to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, which most experts agree isn’t very ambitious, given that we’ve got less than three years to get 9,000 cleaner, greener taxis on London’s roads. It’s clear that Government thinks local authorities and “the market” will get on with driving the switch to electric vehicles without its help, but we need more than this. The Road to Zero will be a road to nowhere for the taxi trade if Government doesn’t pull its socks up. It’s not good enough that the Government’s big promise is to review the uptake of electric vehicles if progress is slower than expected by 2025. Without more support to cut the cost of electric cabs and get more taxi- only charging points installed, we already know that progress is going to be slow for the trade. Alongside Government support, the London boroughs need to get more rapid charging points in the ground in central London. The boroughs are responsible for most of the roads, and the future of the electric taxi relies on them installing new charge points quickly. Mayor Sadiq Khan must call on the boroughs to keep up, as I emphasised recently to the new Deputy Mayor for Transport, Heidi Alexander. We’ve got to get on with this switch to electric cabs, and we can’t have the Government or the boroughs letting London down.

July 27, 2018 at 11:48AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve McNamara - LTDA THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Minicab killer's sentenced to six years in jail

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Two men who chased and beat a private hire driver moments before he crashed to his death have been sentenced to six years in jail. Both attackers denied the charges of manslaughter but we're found guilty during a trial at Stafford Crown Court. Brandon Dowen, 19, and John Cox, 32, chased Ishfaq Hussain, 51, after Cox's girlfriend had accused him of trying to "chat her up", when all he was doing was asking for directions. Following a chase through Telford which reached speeds in excess of 60mph, Cox kicked a punch Hussain several times while Dowen vandalised his Red Skoda.

(Dowen, left, Cox, right) Moments after the attack, Hussain, who suffered from a heart condition, crashed into a tree and died at the scene. Hussain had a passenger in his vehicle at the time of the crash who was also injured but later recovered in hospital. Dowen, 19, of Telford, and Cox, 32, of Wolverhampton, were both detained and will now serve out a six year jail term each.

July 27, 2018 at 10:59AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Algarrrrve...: Luxe 5* half board escape 5nts from £371pp - incl. wellness hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself to a relaxing luxury getaway to the Algarve this autumn with a stay at the top-rated 5* Vidamar Resort right by Salgados Beach with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Boasting several outdoor pools, a lush spa and no less than 4 restaurants along with a coffee bar and the Gin… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Italy family beach holiday 7nts from £335pp - incl. 4* hotel & flights

Discover the heel of Italy in the very south of the country, home to gorgeous beaches with crystal clear water including the so called Maldives of Italy, Pescoluse beach. And let's not forget the delicious cuisine! We've spotted this all inclusive holiday (suitable for families or couples) at the 4* Relais Masseria Le Cesine… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Top Turkey getaway from £369pp - 7nts 5* DoubleTree Hilton hotel, breakfast & flights

Ahoy pirates, fancy a luxury holiday to Turkey this October, we have just the getaway that we found on our holiday finder. You will stay in the 5* DoubleTree by Hilton with breakfast included each morning - upgrade to half board at time of booking if you wish. Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gloucestershire County Council apologises to Taxi drivers after wrongly issuing warning letters

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Gloucestershire County Council has had to apologised to taxi drivers in the area, after wrongly issuing them with warning letters for using a bus lane.

The cabbies, who are allowed to use the bus lanes in Cheltenham, have been issued the letters by APCOA after there was confusion over their exemption.

The taxi drivers were warned that if they entered the bus lanes again they would be fined £60.

It is believed, according to Graham Foley, owner of Dial-a-cab, who spoke to Gloucestershire Live, there could be as many as 1000 letters wrongly issued.

Criticism was aimed at Gloucestershire County Council over the cost of issuing the letters coning out of the taxoayers purse.

Gloucestershire County Council have issued a full apology, and reassured taxi drivers that the mistake will not occur again.

July 27, 2018 at 07:33AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Victory for anti-CS11 campaigners as judge approves injunction against work starting and grants judicial review

The Mess That Would Be ‘Swiss Cottage’

A High Court judge has passed Westminster City Council’s bid for an injunction and judicial review into CS11, but said he was "exasperated" by both sides.

In a two-and-a-half-hour hearing this morning, Mr Justice Holgate heard Westminster City Council believed Transport for London (TfL) hadn’t properly modelled traffic for parts of the route, including through St John’s Wood.

Tristan Jones, acting for the borough, also alleged TfL hadn’t properly shared documents with Westminster City Council.

But this was rebuffed by TfL, which said it had shared the same information for the plans with consultants from the council as it had on the Oxford Street pestrianisation plans.

The High Court also heard the transport body hadn’t shown why the Swiss Cottage gyratory work and work on the 100 Avenue Road plans needed to take place simultaneously. Mr Jones said: "There has been no explanation why they most be done at the same time."

Andrew Parkinson, who was assisting the claimant, raised campaigners’ concerns that the gyratory section would increase traffic elsewhere in the route.

Meanwhile Timothy Straker QC, representing TfL, said the council’s "sudden" withdrawal was "politically motivated." He alleged that Westminster’s backing of the plans was dropped after May’s local elections.

The Conservative-run authority jettisoned support for the Oxford Street works at around the same time.

As TfL officers ferried information to him from the back of the court, he said: "If you look at Camden’s response to the consultation, they say they welcome the scheme because Swiss Cottage is so awful."

Throughout the hearing, Mr Justice Holgate aired his frustrations. 

At one point he accused Mr Straker of "grandstanding" over the accusation Westminster City Council’s actions were politically motivated.

He also said one authority taking the other to court was "like nothing I’ve seen before".

"Why is the court being troubled by this?" he said.

He urged the two parties to have informal mediation talks, and said they should be working together to agree the scheme.

The approval means work beginning on July 30 is delayed, and a full judicial review hearing will take place on September 6.

It is expected to last one day.

Following the hearing, campaigner Jessica Learmond-Criqui told the Ham&High: "We are obviously delighted that the judge expressly acknowledged and recognised the concerns of residents about ran running and traffic displacement into Hampstead and St John’s Wood.

"We were very ably assisted by the brilliant planning barrister Andrew Parkinson and couldn’t have done it without him.

"TfL will not be able to start work before the final decision of the judicial review full hearing."

She added: "The judge also mentioned there is a real prospect of an error of law in TfL’s decision [in March to begin work on Swiss Cottage]."

Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of strategy and network development, said CS11 was "a vitally important addition to London’s cycle network" and that work at Swiss Cottage would "make it a better place to live and work while reducing road danger for pedestrians and cyclists".

Of the hearing result, he said only: "Construction was due to begin on July 30. This will now be delayed pending the outcome of a judicial review."

Westminster’s environment chief, the rather more jubilant Cllr Tim Mitchell, said: "We are pleased with the High Court’s decision today which supports the council and residents’ right to be heard on CS11.

"We are worried that CS11 will cause traffic displacement, increase congestion and lead to poorer air quality.

"We are glad that the court has granted our injunction to stop works at Swiss Cottage until the very legitimate concerns with this scheme are addressed via a judicial review."

And he insisted: "Westminster City Council fully supports safe cycling and we are making major investments for cyclists within Westminster."

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Winter sun in Jamaica: All inclusive break from £679pp - incl. 7nts resort, flights & transfers

Pirates, book early and you can escape to a sun-blessed Caribbean beach this autumn! Our Package Finder is offering 7 nights at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean resort, staying on an all inclusive basis. Flights, transfers, luggage and ATOL protection are also included with this package. There are limited departures at this price in November.… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Spring into NYC in 2019: 4nts in historic Roosevelt Hotel & flights from £465pp - solo from £665

New York is calling your name in 2019 Pirates and we couldn't be more excited to bring you this 4 night getaway that we have discovered on our Holiday Finder. Stay a stone's throw from Grand Central station, as well as many of Manhattan's top sites, at the historic Roosavelt Hotel. Go with a mate… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Absolute beachfront in Devon: 3nt weekend beach hut stay from £127pp - Hot Tub hut from £184pp

Devon is fast becoming the romance capital of the UK so why not treat your loved one to a weekend break in some of the cutest beach huts we've seen in a while. A 3-night stay, RIGHT on the beach at Ilfracombe, at the end of September (when the weather should still be warmish) starts… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cool minibreak: 3nts in Berlin incl. 5* hotel from £162pp *Xmas market dates available*

Pirates, there's no cooler city than Berlin, which welcomes travellers of all kinds with open arms. Check out this bargain minibreak - 3 nights in a 5* hotel from £162pp including the 5* Hotel Bristol Berlin & flights. Pick dates to visit the Christmas markets in December, or just enjoy the city and its gazillion… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Flights to St Louis from Dublin & London from £259 return

Pirates, if you fancy heading to St Louis in the USA, check out these cool flights we have found at a really awesome price with just 1 stop. The flights to St Louis depart in October and September and there is a choice of dates to choose from. Flight details Flights to St Louis, Missouri… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Solo Southeast Asia: 12nts in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand from £717 - incl. all hotels & flights

Sample some of the most delicious food, best beaches and breathtaking temples on earth with this solo trip to Southeast Asia! With open-jaw flights you'll maximise your time: You'll fly into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and out from Bangkok, Thailand, with further stops in Siem Reap, Cambodia (home of Angkor Wat) and Phuket, Thailand.… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ciao Italia: Flights to Venice, Milan or Rome from £18 return

Get those seat belts buckled and those tray tables up Pirates because we have discovered these incredibly cheap flights, where you can fly to Italy and still have change from a £20 note! Flying from a number of UK airports, there are so many incredible places to discover in Italy that we've only been able… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Seek out Sardinia: 7nts in autumn from £148pp incl. hotel & flights

Pirates, seek out true relaxation on the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia: 7nights from £148pp including the Le Fontane Residence & flights. Near the coast and with a pool on-site, you can enjoy this stunning location at a decent price for an autumn holiday. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible)… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

All inclusive Majorca holiday from £266pp - 4nts hotel, flights, luggage & transfers (7nts £356pp)

Pirates, there's only one thing better than a holiday in Majorca - a holiday in Majorca on an all inclusive board basis. This deal is with Thomas Cook and as you are all inclusive you will receive all meals, snacks and drinks included in the price. You will stay in a great rated hotel for… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT