Council act to rid Liverpool streets of most polluting taxis

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Liverpool Council are to undertake a scheme which will see the most polluting taxis removed from the roads.

The scheme is part of a cleanair initiative and could affect hundreds of taxis.

Retro-fitted taxis will have to be registered with the council within a three month period, once the scheme starts.

Upon registration, those taxis will be given a five year lifeline before they are then refused a license.

A taxi with a retro-fitted engine is a vehicle which has had the ooriginal engine removed, and had it replaced with an older engine. Whilst the older engine may be more economical, ot is usually more damaging to the environment.

Those drivers who do not comoly with the new initiative and inform the council that their vehicle is retro-fitted, may see their livense to operate suspended and their vehicle license renewal refused.

A survey is underway, with drivers having until 30th September to complete the survey.

August 25, 2018 at 04:04PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Glamorous Las Vegas getaway from £419pp - incl. 4nts 4* hotel & flights

Pirates, add some razzle dazzle to the pre-Christmas festivities with a trip to party central - Las Vegas! With this deal from our Holiday Finder you'll be spending 4 nights at SLS Las Vegas, a 4* property just off the main strip. Flights are included. There are some great departure options in December. Vegas cools… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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5* All inclusive Costa Rica bargain £654pp - incl. 7nts Premier resort, flights, bags & transfers

Pirates, get yourselves away to a tropical paradise with this 5* package to Costa Rica! Our Package Finder is offering 7 nights at the 5* Riu Guanacaste Hotel, a First Choice Premier resort. You'll be staying on an all inclusive basis, and the package also includes direct return flights, luggage, transfers and ATOL protection. The… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

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Pirates, visit Portugal's stunning capital with 3 nights in Lisbon at the 5* Eurostars Das Letras from £188pp including flights. The hotel has a crazy good score on TripAdvisor so you know your stay is in safe hands. Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 26 29 November… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxe 4* All Inclusive Lanzarote break 4nts from £291pp - incl. hotel & flights *7nts from £456pp

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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

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

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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

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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