2nt Gdansk Christmas Markets getaway from £74pp - incl. 4* hotel & flights

Have a crackin' treat this festive season with a break to the Christmas Markets of gorgeous Gdansk! With this deal from Expedia you'll be spending 2 nights at the 4* Scandic Hotel, nicely located close to the Old Town. We're eyeing up a trip in mid-December. The Christmas Markets of Gdansk tend to start in… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Newcastle taxi protest brings city centre to a standstill

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The centre of Newcastle was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as the Newcastle Hackney Carriage Driver Association called a protest over a plethora of issues.

A multitude of vehicles engaged in a mass ply-for-hire between Eldon Square and Hatmarket, which created major congestion in the area.

The Newcastle Hackney Carriage Driver Association called the protest in response to growing concerns over a lack of rank space and the removal of existing ranks without trade consultation.

Other issues which have caused anger amongst the Newcastle taxi industry are the restrictions surrounding gates and bus lanes, making it difficult for thw taxi industry to ply their trade and transport the public.

There are also serious concerns at the number of private hire vehicles illegally plying for hire and the lack of enforcement pertaining to this.

Other issues are the number of private hire licenses being issued in the area, which have trebled in three years due to a relaxing of the criteria needed to becone a PHV driver.

It is claimed that Newcastle Coty council have been fully aware of these issues, but have failed to act.

A representative of Newcastle City Council has claimed that The Newcastle Haclney carriage Driver Association have disengaged with the council, and have also stated that they are powerless to act in relation to PHV numbers because of the lack of legislation surrounding their ability to cap private hire vehicle numbers.

Despite more protests in the pipeline, Newcastle City Council have requested that the association re-engages with them.

August 25, 2018 at 09:51AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Law commission report due for government response next month

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Since Parliament has broken up for Summer Recess there have been rumours about the Law Commission’s review of taxi and private hire services. If you’ve drawing a blank on what this is about, you’re not alone. Having started in 2011, the review was concluded in 2014 at which point the commission presented its report and recommendations to government. However, it is yet to get a response. Now, we’re suddenly hearing the government may be about to respond to the commission’s recommendations. As a quick refresher – it recommended the introduction of a new single legal framework for the regulation of taxi and PHV services across England and Wales and national standards for taxis and PHVs. It also recommended that local licensing authorities could set additional standards for taxis only, and not for PHVs.The Law Commission said its proposals would make it easier for PHVs to cross border hire and would give licensing officers new enforcement powers to deal with vehicles and drivers licensed in different areas.Clearly, this would make the problems weface worse, not better. It would effectively legalise the ability for operators such asUber to get cheap licences anywhere in the country and flood areas like London, exploit the market and undercut taxis and local PHV services.

Government is now facing pressure from MPs from all parties to publish the reportand recommendations made by the working group on taxi and PHV licensing, which I took part in on behalf of the trade earlierthis year. It must have realised it can’t putoff responding to the Law Commission any longer. Representing our trade on the working group, I pushed hard for national minimum standards, a definition of cross border hiring, and crucially, a definition of plying for hire. When Parliament comes back from holidayin September, hopefully we will finally see the long-awaited action we need.

August 25, 2018 at 07:14AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve McNamara - LTDA THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Abu Dhabi family beach break 6nts from £598pp - incl. half board, top hotel & Etihad flights

Abu Dhabi-dooo dear pirates! We've found this great value for money luxury family beach break to Abu Dhabi. You'll be staying at the iconic, shining copper beacon that is the 5* Bab Al Qasr Hotel, which is part of the prestigious Millennium Hotels group, boasting traditional Arabian design mixed with modern influences and contemporary comforts.… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Peak Season: Flights to Bangkok, Thailand from £357rtn with 5* Qatar Airways

We're seeing some real tasty treats on our Flights Finder today pirates - bargain fares to Thailand right the way through to 2019, starting from £357 return! These flights are with Qatar Airways, a superb option for long haul travel, with your checked luggage and inflight meals included as standard, and great layover times. The… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Early bird Majorca: 3nts luxury break in Spring from £234pp incl. 5* spa hotel & flights

Pirates, make a move for Majorca with 3 nights at the lush 5* Hipocampo Palace and Spa Hotel from £234pp including flights. The hotel has gardens, outdoor pool, and fabulous spa with hot tub, sauna & pool. Perfect! Book early for this fab price in April 2019, or pay less to go at a more… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Primera Air Sale: Direct flights from £205 return - New York, Boston, Toronto & Washington D.C.

If you pirates are looking to skip across the pond this autumn, take a look at this discount that Primera Air is offering on its transatlantic routes. Flights to New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and Toronto start at an incredible £205 return! Discounted flights are available between September 4th and November 30th. Flights are direct… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Mauritius family holiday 13nts from £979pp - incl. top beach resort, flights & breakfast

Ahoy early-birds! Next up we are sending you to paradise for 2 weeks! We've clocked some great rates for a 14 night stay in Mauritius at the top-rated 5* Le Cardinal Exclusive Resort in popular Troux aux Biches, (basically coming up less than a 7 night stay!) You'll be staying right by the pristine sandy… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Try something new: Sofia for 3nts in winter from £136pp incl. 5* hotel & flights

Pirates, if you're after a magical winter break with a twist, try 3 nights in Sofia from £136pp including the 5* Holiday Inn Sofia & flights. If you go late November - early January, Sofia has some cute Christmas markets, too. Bulgaria also has the distinction of being lovely and cheap, so you can enjoy… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Chic 4* French Riviera break 4nts from £252pp - incl. Radisson Blu hotel, breakfast & flights

Ahoy mateys! Jet off to the French Riviera with a swanky stay at 4* Radisson Blu Hotel Nice offering first class amenities, private beach access and breathtaking views. Breakfast is included in this holiday, which is available throughout the season, with the cheapest dates to be found in October. Holiday details Travel duration: 4 nights… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Private Hire driver jailed for the horrific sexual assault of two young women

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Private hire driver Felix Chan, 35, has been jailed for seven years for sexual assault. Chan, who worked for PHV firm Delta in Liverpool, targeted young female passengers as his victims. The married dad-of-two even took pictures of one of his victims and a sickening video of her laying naked. Chan's first victim was a 19-year-old student who was sick in his vehicle. After demanding £70 as a soiling fee, he followed his victim into her shared accommodation and forced his hand up her skirt. The victim alerted the police but Chan claimed that his hand may of gone up her skirt when he tried to stop her from falling. Chan was not charged by the police on this occasion. The court heard that Chan wasn't charged until a second incident was brought to light this year when Chan targeted a 20-year-old woman who was said to be heavily intoxicated. Chan's second victim entered his private hire vehicle after a night out in Liverpool, and asked him to take her to a location. The victim, who was in contact with some friends on WhatsApp at the time, sent them messages telling them that Chan had started touching her and didn't know what to do. Chan demanded cash from his victim and told her because she couldn't pay he had to continue touching her. The court heard one of the victims friends phoned her worried but Chan took the phone and said she shouldn't worry because he was going to take care of her. The victim passed out which is when Chan sexually assaulted her. Prosecutor Deborah Gould said: "That was the opportunity he took to sexually assault her and take footage of her on his mobile phone" The 20-year-old victim woke up during the assault but was so afraid that she pretended to still be asleep. When Chan spoke to her she didn't respond. The court heard that she laid still crying silently with ears rolling down her face. After the attack, Chan drove his victim home, but not before stopping one more time to sexually assault her again while filming. The woman's neighbours found her later that night distraught and called the police. Chan was identified by CCTV footage and arrested at his home, where the police found his mobile phone with the footage on. Chan admitted three counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration. Sentencing Chan, Judge Steven Everett said:

"It looks as if to me there isn't much respect for women generally, certainly none for his wife.

"It seems he didn't regard it as unusual to go on these jaunts with other men, where there was sexual contact with other women. "I find that very depressing and very unpleasant.

"Two people have had their lives totally turned upside down by your disgusting behaviour." He jailed Chan for seven years and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

August 24, 2018 at 01:18PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Vile Private Hire Driver jailed for the horrific sexual assault of two young women

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Private hire driver Felix Chan, 35, has been jailed for seven years for sexual assault. Chan, who worked for PHV firm Delta in Liverpool, targeted young female passengers as his victims. The married dad-of-two even took pictures of one of his victims and a sickening video of her laying naked. Chan's first victim was a 19-year-old student who was sick in his vehicle. After demanding £70 as a soiling fee, he followed his victim into her shared accommodation and forced his hand up her skirt. The victim alerted the police but Chan claimed that his hand may of gone up her skirt when he tried to stop her from falling. Chan was not charged by the police on this occasion. The court heard that Chan wasn't charged until a second incident was brought to light this year when Chan targeted a 20-year-old woman who was said to be heavily intoxicated. Chan's second victim entered his private hire vehicle after a night out in Liverpool, and asked him to take her to a location. The victim, who was in contact with some friends on WhatsApp at the time, sent them messages telling them that Chan had started touching her and didn't know what to do. Chan demanded cash from his victim and told her because she couldn't pay he had to continue touching her. The court heard one of the victims friends phoned her worried but Chan took the phone and said she shouldn't worry because he was going to take care of her. The victim passed out which is when Chan sexually assaulted her. Prosecutor Deborah Gould said: "That was the opportunity he took to sexually assault her and take footage of her on his mobile phone" The 20-year-old victim woke up during the assault but was so afraid that she pretended to still be asleep. When Chan spoke to her she didn't respond. The court heard that she laid still crying silently with ears rolling down her face. After the attack, Chan drove his victim home, but not before stopping one more time to sexually assault her again while filming. The woman's neighbours found her later that night distraught and called the police. Chan was identified by CCTV footage and arrested at his home, where the police found his mobile phone with the footage on. Chan admitted three counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration. Sentencing Chan, Judge Steven Everett said:

"It looks as if to me there isn't much respect for women generally, certainly none for his wife.

"It seems he didn't regard it as unusual to go on these jaunts with other men, where there was sexual contact with other women. "I find that very depressing and very unpleasant.

"Two people have had their lives totally turned upside down by your disgusting behaviour." He jailed Chan for seven years and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

August 24, 2018 at 01:18PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Adults Only 4* Costa Brava half board break 5nts from £266pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! How about a chic Costa Brava holiday just for grown-ups? The Adults Only 4* Aqua Hotel Silhouette & Spa occupies a prime position a short walk from the beach and Malgrat de Mar promenade. There is a lush spa and 2 outdoor pools here and you'll have half board included in your stay.… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cab drivers may be forced to breach disability legislation as London councils impose a ban on diesel taxis

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In January of this year TaxiPoint reported that both Islington and Hackney councils would be looking to ban motorists who drive petrol or diesel vehicles from a new "Green" zone within the Shoreditch area.

It has now been revealed that the new "Green" zone will go live on 3rd September 2018, with the operational hours being Monday to Friday, 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm.

All petrol and diesel vehicles will be excluded, including licensed London taxis. The exceptions to the exclusion will be all electric and hybrid vehicles, which includes the LEVC TXE taxi.

The fine for venturing into the "Green" zone during prescribed hours will be £130.

The "Green" zone will consist of nine streets:

Tabernacle StreetPaul StreetCowper StreetBlackhall StreetRavey StreetSinger StreetWillow StreetRivington Street Charlotte Road

A similar scheme is to be launched by the City of London Corporation in April, which will reduce access to Moor Lane, again only fully electric or hybrid vehicles will be allowed access.

The course of action being taken by Islington and Hackney councils as well as the impending action from the City of London Corporation has highlighted a rather interesting and potentially serious situation for the London taxi industry.

Nobody from any of the aforementioned councils seem to have given the first thought as to how this affects legislation surrounding both hackney carriage legislation and disability discrimination legislation.

According to hackney carriage legislation, a taxi driver must, unless there is a reasonable excuse, take a customer within a twelve mile radius or one hour journey time of their pick-up point.

This is a simple enough piece of legislation, until you factor into the equation the new "Green" zone. Islington and Hackney councils now expect a customer to differentiate between a zero emission capable taxi and a diesel taxi. This is all fine and dandy until you realise that around 2% of the entire fleet are zero emission capable, and at the moment, it will take around fourteen years for every taxi to be zero emission capable.

This therefore means that a driver could potentially be prosecuted, or have his or her licence suspended or revoked if they refuse to take a customer where they wish to go to or refuse to enter the "Green" zone.

Next we come to the next major issue, the disabled community. If a driver refuses or is unable to allow a disabled customer to alight within the "Green" zone, the driver can again potentially be prosecuted. Refusing to take a disabled customer on the aforementioned grounds could also see the driver prosecuted.

What also hasn't been factored in whatsoever is the fact that a wheelchair user may need collecting from the "Green" zone. When you consider that the London taxi industry is the only fully wheelchair compliant, door to door service available to the disabled, this scenario beggars belief.

The taxi industry, as confirmed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, is part of the public transport industry and is the only door to door service.The private hire industry, by very definition is not part of the public transport industry, it is, as the name suggests, private transportaion. This therefore means that out of all of the vehicles wich could need access to the "Green" zone, London taxis should be top of that list and should as a consequence have an exemption, regardless of the type of engine the vehicle possesses.

The streets that will be restricted are fairly inconsequential, they aren't major thoroghfares, in fact some of them you would be hard-pressed to drive along, Cowper Street is a blocked turning and Ravey Street has been partially closed for what seems like years due to building work. In fact only Tabernacle Street, Paul Street and Willow Street hold any significance, with the latter being the site of a major hotel, this hotel will become inaccessible if taxis cannot drive into Willow Street.

This therefore begs the question as to why these streets are REALLY being closed. Any pollution in the area will be coming from City Road, Old Street and Great Eastern Street, none of the roads being restricted have any real weight of traffic.

Could it be that "you smoke, I choke" is being used as an excuse to perform an experiment, with a view to expanding the scheme across roads that really are a major pollution problem, but which are also main thoroughfares?

So which of the three pieces of legislation should a taxi driver break, Islington and Hackney's emissions regulation, Transport for London's Hackney Carriage Act, or the Governments Disability Discrimination Act. Whatever the answer is, this one requires the wisdom of Solomon as well as a large helping of common sense.

August 24, 2018 at 01:09PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Algarrrrve...: Luxe 5* half board escape 5nts from £379pp - 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… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Malta 5* luxury winter break 5nts from £272pp - incl. Radisson Blu hotel, flights & breakfast

Arr mateys! Escape to one of Malta's most exclusive 5-star resorts, the Travellers' Choice awarded Radisson Blu hotel this winter! Boasting a popular spa, several swimming pools and a short stroll to the beach it's the perfect luxury getaway on the small amber coloured island in the Mediterranean. This package is totally flexible, and you… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

London cabbie Joe Lewis takes to the West End stage supported by the Denmark Street Big Band

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The talented Joe Lewis will take centre stage at the West End’s Charing Cross Theatre alongside the reknowned Denmark Street Big Band on Sunday 16th September.

Joe Lewis, who is also a working London cabbie, became obsessed with Big Band & Swing Jazz sounds whilst siting at his father’s knee where they would constantly listen to LPs by Sinatra, Davis Jr, Bennett & Darin. The timeless, inspirational sound of these artists became the soundtrack to Joe’s life, and his dedication and superb vocal technique have created stunning tributes to his idols.

Earlier this year, Joe met a fellow obsessive in Paul Burch, Leader of the Denmark Street Big Band. They joined forces and began a series of intimate gigs, performing classic Big Band Swing numbers. These sellout shows and ecstatic audiences marked the arrival of a major new force on the British swing scene. The Charing Cross Theatre is delighted to present the West End Premiere of Joe Lewis and the Denmark Street Big Band’s “Great American Songbook Show “. With only 265 seats available and the theatre anticipates another sellout, so make sure you are one of the few who will always be able to say: “I was there“, and book early!

For more information and to book your tickets click on the poster below!

August 24, 2018 at 10:47AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

The Bargain of Seville: 3nts from £187pp incl. 5* hotel & flights

Pirates, sample another side of Spain with 3 nights in glorious Seville from £187pp including the 5* Barcelo Sevilla Renacimiento & flights. This charming city has plenty to see, and staying in a 5* hotel lends your trip a touch of class. Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date:… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Autumn & Xmas market dates: Trendy 4* Prague design hotel stay from £28pppn

Picturesque Prague is one of our favourite European destinations for a city break, and it's even cooler when you can stay in a trendy 4* hotel right in the beautiful Old Town. The design-led Nyx Hotel features stylish interiors provided by the hottest local artists - making it a truly unique place to stay! Wenceslas… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Grand 5* Tuscany beachfront break 3nts from £168pp - incl. flights, hotel w/spa & breakfast

Ahoy mateys! The impressive 5* Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is located in the beautiful Tuscan coastal town of Viareggio, with its very own Michelin-starred restaurant, luxury spa and incredible rooftop with heated roof-top pool and panoramic views of both the coast and the Apuan Alps. No wonder it was featured in Vogue! Holiday details… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT