Gridlock across London as Camden Council closes access to vehicles at key Bloomsbury junction

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Changes to a key artery on London’s road network has caused gridlock across the capital and local area.

Camden Council have closed vehicle access around Bloomsbury Square and taken away the heavily used left-turn from Vernon Place on to Southampton Row.

According to frustrated cabbies the travelling public heading from

the west of the capital to iconic places of interest such as The British Museum will no longer be able to reach their destination logically.

Traffic will now be dirverted away from the square through the already heavily congested Red Lion Square and High Holborn area.

The changes have seen London grind to halt in areas outside of Camden as congestion and air quality continues to worsen.

However, one person on twitter welcomed the changes made around London’s oldest square and congratulated the council for its “immediate restoration” for a healthier and quieter green space.

October 16, 2018 at 01:35PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cab driver left with burns to his arm after passenger set light to his shirt while driving

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A cab driver from Stockton was left with injuries to his arm after one of his passengers used a lighter to burn him. 30 year veteran of the trade, Sean Rogan had picked up two men who asked him to take them to a location in Norton and then return them again. The men paid for the journey upfront so Mr Rogan set off on the journey. According to a report in TeessideLive, on route to the first location Rogan felt a burning sensation on his arm. It was then that he realised that his shirt had been set alight but one of the men. Rogan jumped from his vehicle but was followed immediately by the culprit who put his fist up ready to attack. Both the passengers were shouting for their money back. Rogan was able to fle the scene in his vehicle before any further arm was brought to him. The cab driver who was suffering from shock managed to get to hospital where he as treated for the burns to his arm. The police are now investigating the attack and are looking for both men. Rogan has said he will not get back in his cab until they are caught. A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “We received a report of an assault yesterday (October 10) morning at 8:45am. “It was reported that the backseat passenger of a taxi set the driver’s shirt alight using a lighter. “The driver is a 51-year-old male and suffered redness to the skin following the incident.” Inquires are ongoing to trace the man responsible, anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 quoting event number 186580.

October 16, 2018 at 01:01PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

New Lower Thames Crossing to cost up to £6.8 billion

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Proposals for a new crossing of the Thames to ease pressure on the existing Dartford Crossing have been updated.

Highways England says the whole of the route will now have three lanes in each direction, giving a 90% increase in capacity for traffic going between Kent and Essex. The route will be 14.5 miles in length and include a 2.4 mile-long tunnel under the river. It will run from the M2 near Rochester to the M25 near South Ockendon. The new crossing is expected to cut congestion at the existing crossing – which sees 50 million journeys annually – by 22% when it opens in 2025. The latest version of the scheme will now be under consultation for ten weeks. Among the other changes are:

a new rest and service area to the West of East Tilbury Removal of the proposed Tilbury link road to reduce traffic on the local road network Lowering the road by up to six metres in places to reduce its visual impact

The project was described by its director, Tim Jones, as “the biggest single road upgrade since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago.” Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “That tens of thousands of people responded to the previous consultation demonstrates that this scheme raises as much passion amongst residents as it does with the millions of drivers who, despite the improvement brought about by free-flow tolling, still routinely get stuck at the existing crossing, especially northbound. “It is vital this project is got right so that it delivers benefits not just for drivers travelling from one end of the country to the other, but also residents of Kent and Essex for whom the Thames often seems like an unbridgeable barrier.”

October 16, 2018 at 10:20AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Sherbet London: Why so many apps?

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On a freezing, rainy winter’s night, there are few greater pleasures in London than seeing the yellow light and being scooped up from the cold street into your little private compartment with the rain lashing against the windows and the heating (controllable by you) turned on full. There is legroom, there is headroom, there is calm and quiet, there is privacy and separation from the driver.

For all our capital’s economic glory, we have lost some of the accolades we took pride in as Londoners. Our streets are filled with shops and vehicles which could be anywhere. Now London risks losing one more thing which makes it different, special, and civilised: the world’s best taxis. Cab-driving in London is a profession, its members an elite. The long and difficult process of passing the Knowledge remains a highly effective means of excluding unsuitable or dangerous individuals and creating a corps of skilled, professional drivers. Black cabs also have a wider, symbolic value as an internationally recognised part of London’s identity. The black cab is an important element of “brand London’s” associations with elegance, tradition and quality, and thus has an economic value beyond the purely transportational. The black cab must keep what makes it worth keeping, and worth paying for. We find that at least during the day, the black cab’s main competitive weakness is not price – but predictability and convenience. With other APPs you know, within a relatively narrow range, what the fare will be, you know when the cab will arrive, you do not have to wait in the street, and no cash has to change hands. Black cabs do not consistently offer these services. “Meter anxiety” from sitting in the back and watching the price tick up can be considerable. Providing an app for Elite drivers, being able to access quality work to means we can bring in incremental revenue to our drivers, this is not dilution. We appreciate that competition is great for the industry as it keeps us all on our toes and the need to continually innovate and evolve. The more investments made means that incremental revenue is felt and beneficial to all; we’re not relying on any regulator, we regulate ourselves to be the best. Driven by the Worlds Best.

Evolution and innovation means our current business models of garages are evolving into studios, and our Mechanics are now Technicians. The same pace of advancement means our passengers are now consumers and our administration is now in the Cloud.

Consumer behaviour has changed significantly and consumer demand is such that service is at its highest level; we exist in a brand competitive world with multiple choices and communication messages bombarding us all day at every touch-point.

We can collectively control & maintain Driver & Taxi standards within our Industry, but we must be open to innovation in order to future proof our industry: “Our drivers represent the Sherbet values - their vehicles will be pristine, air conditioned or heated, our drivers smartly dressed, and we’ll offer bottled water to customers on arrival. This is all part of the evolution of our service and brand. Our focus is how we use service excellence and technology to ensure a premium journey experience thus future proofing the sustainability of our industry.”

October 16, 2018 at 08:53AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Sherbet London THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Teeside cabbies warned that shorts and vests are a thing of the past

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Teeside cabbies have been warned to smarten up as Hartlepool council's licensing committee become the latest in a line of councils to start to invoke a dress code.

The new guidelines will see changes as to what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour, attire and previous criminal activity. There will also be a tightening up of the criteria required to obtain a taxi license.

Although there has been no set rules in place, cabbies have always been advised to dress smartly.

It has been recognised by the council, that whilst wearing a tie would be impractical, as well as creating a health and safety issue, recommendations have been made for drivers to wear either a shirt or a polo shirt, with shorts and vests being outlawed.

One of the major changes which new applicants may face is the prospect of those who have been convicted of a violent offence having to wait a minimum of 10 years before they can apply for a license.

Under previous rules, a new applicant who had been convicted of a violent offence had to wait between 3 and 5 years before being able to appy for a license.

Another significant change is a commitment by the licensing committee to be part of a new national register ‘NR3.’

This would assist in preventing drivers who have had licences rejected attempting to obtain a license in a different licensing area.

The new national registration system will allow licensing authorities to check an applicants history dating back up to 25 years.

There is no indication as to a start date for the new regulations as yet.

October 15, 2018 at 06:04PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

City worker fails in bid to sue London cabbie

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A city worker has had a £1million negligence claim against a London taxi driver thrown out after the judge dismissed the claim as "utterly unrealistic."

The Daily Mail reported that Stephen Jennings, who was a city analyst at the time, had become enraged at his girlfriend after she had taken a phone call, and subsequently spent 2 hours on the phone, whilst the pair were having dinner at a Park Lane hotel.

The incident, which occured in 2012, subsequently led to Mr Jennings leaving the hotel in what was described as a "blind rage," and attempting to cross seven lanes of Park Lane traffic.

Mr Jennings, was eventually struck by a taxi, which left him with head injuries. As a result of those injuries, Mr Jennings now suffers from epilepsy and memory loss.

Mr Jennings was then forced to quit, what was a highly job, durle to the nature of his injuries. He then attempted to sue the driver for his subsequent loss of earnings.

Judge Alan Saggerson described at Central London County Court, how the couple had left the Park Lane hotel in a "volatile" state of mind.

Andrew Ritchie QC, for Mr Jennings, claimed the the cabbie was driving too fast and failed to keep a proper lookout.

Judge Saggerson then dismissed the claim, stating that the sole cause of the accident was Mr Jennings stupidity in attempting to cross the busy lanes of traffic.

October 15, 2018 at 05:46PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

A boycott of Uber called by Bahrain's foreign minister

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According to a report in Reuters, Bahrain’s foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, has called for a boycott of ride-sharing app Uber after CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi decided to pull out of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia because of the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist in Turkey. The Uber chief joins a list of high profile business executives distancing themselves from the country since Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who has criticised the Saudi regime in the past, reportedly entered the Saudi consulate in Instanbul, Turkey, and has not been seen since. Amongst major figures to boycott the country are Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, AOL co-founder Steve Case, Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong and The Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington.

Khosrowshahi’s decision to not show up to the conference which is scheduled to be hosted by one of Uber’s largest investors has left Bahrain’s foreign minister scaving. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, invested $3.5 billion into Uber in 2016. Foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has now tweeted calling for a boycott of Uber in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. No further details of the boycott call have been released. It is unclear if it has been aimed at user’s of Uber’s service or investors in the company, or even both. Are Bahrain planning any other measures against Uber? We’ll soon find out.

October 15, 2018 at 01:00PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Next steps confirmed for the transformation of streets around Nine Elms

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Transport for London has confirmed the next steps for improving the streets of Nine Elms and making them better for people walking, cycling and using public transport.

The proposals support the wider regeneration in the area and will see the 2.5km stretch of Nine Elms Lane and Battersea Park Road completely redesigned to make more attractive, accessible and people-friendly streets.

The proposals include:

A new substantially segregated cycle route connecting to Cycle Superhighway 8, which runs between Wandsworth and Westminster Signals and junctions designed to separate cyclists and motor vehicles by time or space New wider pavements 23 new or improved pedestrian crossings Improved bus lanes

Due to the length of the route the scheme has been divided into seven sections, with sections one to three along the western sections of Battersea Park Road and sections four to seven along the eastern end of Battersea Park Road and Nine Elms Lane. TfL has taken time to carefully consider and address all the responses to the consultation, which has helped shape the design of the eastern part of the scheme. This section of the scheme includes improved pedestrian space, stepped cycle tracks and bus stop bypasses.

The western sections of the route were not supported as well as the eastern sections at consultation. We are reviewing the designs for this section with a view to delivering greater protection for cyclists and maintaining a key public transport interchange.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said; 'I'm pleased that the plans for the eastern section of Nine Elms will be progressed including wider pavements, new and improved crossing points and segregated cycle lanes. 'Feedback from the consultation will enable us to improve proposals for the western section, bringing further benefits to pedestrians and cyclists. 'This scheme will enable more people to walk and cycle, reducing car use which is crucial to cleaning up London's toxic air.' Transform the streets

Ben Plowden, Director of Strategy and Network Development for Surface Transport at TfL, said; 'Our ambitious proposals to transform the streets around Nine Elms support the major regeneration of the area, which is bringing new homes, jobs, shops and parks to the local community. 'The improvements are part of our commitment to create Healthy Streets across the capital and include a new substantially segregated cycle route, newly designed junctions and transformed public spaces, for all to enjoy.' The proposals are funded by local developer contributions. In total, more than £1bn of new transport and social infrastructure is being delivered across Nine Elms on the South Bank as it transforms from a largely light industrial area into a vibrant new central London district. Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council, said: 'Nine Elms is already a success story with a new community of residents and businesses who have moved to the area, along with the many visitors who go there regularly to enjoy its cultural and leisure attractions. 'On its vacant industrial land there will soon be 20,000 new homes, including 4,000 affordable units and some 25,000 permanent jobs. 'Delivering the right transport infrastructure is key to its continued success and while construction has already started on the Northern line extension along with a new pier to boost river transport, we need to make sure we get the next phase of infrastructure right.' Subject to securing approvals, construction is likely to take place between 2020 and 2021. TfL and Wandsworth Council continue to coordinate with other work in the area to explore opportunities to integrate proposals, seek cost efficiencies and minimise disruption. As a result, delivery of some sections may take place before or after this timeframe. TfL has also installed temporary upgrades to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to protect vulnerable road users during the major development of the area.

October 15, 2018 at 10:19AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

GPS Navigation App Waze expands it's Ride-sharing feature as it looks to compete with Uber

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The GPS navigation app, Waze, is ready to challenge ride-sharing app’s Uber and Lyft with a new carpooling service that will enable drivers and passengers to share rides and even split fuel costs. Riders will be able to filter drivers by range of criteria, including gender, star ratings, or if they are a coworker. According to Business Insider, waze’s carpooling service will charge 54 cents per mile on all trips. The Google owned app announced on Wednesday 10, that their carpool service will be available across all 50 states of America, allowing users to find rides from Waze drivers that are heading in the same direction. Ride-sharing rivals, Uber and Lyft, both offer their own versions of a carpooling option within their apps but the big difference with Waze’s service is that the drivers are “regular people” that already have jobs that will only be able to complete a maximum of two rides per day. According to a press release, Waze has already partnered with schools and a bunch of workplaces, including Amazon to offer the feature to those making daily trips. Waze was previously only available in San Francisco and in the country it’s based, Israel, but will now cover the whole of the United States. Whether it will expand across Europe is yet to be known, but with many similar competitors looking to gain secure footholds in as many different countries as possible, I wouldn’t bet against it.

October 15, 2018 at 09:37AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

LCDC: What happens when policy is built on promises

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As you would have seen on the front page (of this months LCDC Badge), the London Assemby and Transport for London have once more turned their attentions to the age limits that were imposed onto the licensed taxi trade a couple of years ago.

It seems that once again TfL have chosen the taxi trade as the whipping boys. According to TfL, taxis are responsible for a significant contribution to London’s toxic air qualitywith the trade being blamed for 16% NOX and 26% of PMs.

When one considers the number of buses, lorries, vans and finally four times the number of Private Hire vehicles than taxis driving in the capital, then surely one must question the validity of such figures?

“The 15-year age limit for taxis was introduced as part of the drive to tackle London’s air quality crisis. Diesel black cabs make a significant contribution to the city’s toxic air. Urgent action is needed to reduce the pollution they cause” Helen Chapman The stick which Transport for London and the London Assembly are seemingly using to beat us is the statement made by Steve McNamara in his submission to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone consultation, see below: “The LTDA suggested that many vehicle owners would choose to move to ZEC taxis at an accelerated rate and that the existing diesel taxis would be seen as an undesirable vehicle to own and Operate. Therefore without a compulsory age limit but with purchase grants there would be a removal of diesel taxis across all age categories and the associated emissions benefits would be compounded by the benefits of adding ZECs to the fleet. In their place the LTDA suggest there could be 9,000 ZEC taxis in the fleet by the end of 2020.” It is incredible to think that TFL can use the totally illogical optimistic statement above as a means to justify the cab trade accepting a whole new range of age limits for our vehicles. Only last month we attended a meeting with LEVC, who find the same problem when dealing with TFL, and say that TFL constantly quote the 9,000 vehicles and even they admit that with the best will in the world they just could not produce this amount of TX vehicles on that time frame. What Transport for London should be addressing is the plethora of false promises they had made to us during all the ULEZ meetings and consultations. For instance, we were promised that we would have a choice of five taxis and that you would be literally tripping over the charge points throughout the capital etc etc etc Once again and not for the first time, Transport for London is incapable of administrating the transport needs of this City.

October 14, 2018 at 05:37PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI LCDC THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Private Hire Driver sentenced to nine years in jail for the sexual abuse of vulnerable 15 year old girl

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A private hire driver from Rotherham has been sentenced to nine years in jail for sexually abusing a vulnerable teenage girl who was living in a care home. Darren Hyett, 54, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 12, after being convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child. Hyett, who was working for private hire firm, A1 Taxis, abused the young girl around 14 years ago when she was living at Saint Edmund’s Care Home in Thurcroft. The victim who was 15 at the time would get picked up by Hyett in his taxi from a children’shome and drive her around. He would buy her gifts, give her alcohol and cigarettes to gain her trust. According to a report in The Star, a National Crime Agency Investigation proved Hyett, who was 41 at the time, targeted and groomed his victim. Judge Jeremy Richardson, QC, said there was an “abuse of trust” on Hyett’s behalf and there was an element of grooming involved. Although convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child, Hyett was cleared by the jury of four counts of rape, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity with a child and perverting the court of justice. In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “Darren has impacted on my life in many ways and still does - many of these are invisible to the eyes of others. “Darren has used and exploited my vulnerability and my childhood situation and destroyed part of me that I will never get back - I lost the innocence of being a child. “The nightmare of what he did to me never goes away and when I was contacted by the National Crime Agency the past crashed back into my life. I was forced to think about and face the reality of my abuse. “The process has been ongoing for nearly three years and culminated in coming to give evidence at court. I cannot put into words how the thought of facing my abuser made me feel. “The only thing that has enabled me to cope is the support from friends and family, and the need to take control of my life for myself and my family.”Paul Williamson, Operation Stovewood Senior Investigating Officer, said:“The actions of Darren Hyett were premeditated and calculated. He took advantage of a vulnerable young girl, sexually abusing her for a number of years. “This is the latest conviction under Operation Stovewood and again I want to commend the bravery of the victim and witnesses who came to court to give their accounts of what happened.”

October 14, 2018 at 05:02PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Fifteen-year-old plus three other teens arrested after attacks on Midlands taxi drivers

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Four teenagers were arrested this week following a spate of robberies on taxi drivers in the Midlands area.

West Midlands Police are looking into five robberies and three attempted robberies on cabbies in a 48 hour time period in the Dudley and Sandwell area.Police confirm that drivers were attacked and had cash taken.A male, aged 15, was arrested Friday on suspicion of attempted robbery.Thee further three teens, a 17-male aged 17, and two females aged 16 and 17, were all arrested on suspicion of robbery.

October 14, 2018 at 12:12PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Drivers more than twice as likely to breakdown due to hitting a pothole than 12 years ago

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The UK’s perennial pothole problem shows no sign of ending any time soon, according to the latest breakdown data analysed by the RAC.

While, as is customary, the total number of pothole-related breakdowns, such as damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels, attended by RAC patrols in the third quarter of the year dropped substantially to 1,746, the number of such call-outs seen over the last 12 months remains stubbornly high. In the last year the RAC dealt with 14,220 breakdowns where the overwhelming likelihood was that they were caused by potholes – this represents 1.5% of all its call-outs during this period. This is the second highest percentage ever recorded since the RAC started analysing this data in 2006, with the highest being 1.6% – a figure previously only seen during 2015 and 2017. The Pothole Index, which is the RAC’s long-term indicator of the health of the UK’s roads, also shows that things are not getting any better as the index remains considerably higher than it was in the third quarter of 2017 when it was 2.38. In fact, with the index now standing at 2.63, motorists are now more than 2.5 times as likely to suffer a pothole breakdown than they were 12 years ago. The record high index figure was 3.5 in Q1 2010 when motorists were 3.5 times more likely to breakdown due hitting a pothole as they were in 2006. The ongoing pothole problem highlighted by the RAC Pothole Index is clearly in line with drivers’ views as research for the RAC’s 2018 Report on Motoring has found the state of local roads to now be the issue of greatest concern. Data from the comprehensive study of motoring trends now in its 30th year shows a marked increase in the proportion of drivers who say the state of local roads is one of their top overall concerns, up from 33% in 2017 to 42% in 2018. More specifically, 17% cite this as their number-one concern compared to 10% in 2017. In addition, two-thirds of the 1,808 drivers surveyed (66%) said the condition of local roads had deteriorated in the last 12 months which represents a worrying increase on 2017 when the percentage was 51%. Motorists who live in the East of England (81%), the East Midlands (82%) or Scotland (78%) had an even greater tendency to say conditions have become worse than the UK average. Among those who say conditions are worse in 2018, the overwhelming majority (98%) blame road surfaces – this is an even higher proportion than the 92% who said this last year. While overall concern about the state of motorways and high-speed dual carriageways has not increased significantly in 2018 relative to other issues, there is a growing number of motorists who feel the condition of these roads has also deteriorated over the last 12 months. When asked specifically for their views on the condition of the UK’s roads, 78% agreed the state of them – including motorways and major dual carriageways as well as local roads – was ‘generally poor’. Less than one in 10 (9%) disagreed with this. RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “There is little doubt local road conditions in many parts of the country are substandard and have been so for quite some time. Data from this quarter’s RAC Pothole Index supports this showing there has been a steady deterioration in road condition over the last 18 months with the latest quarter not showing a significant improvement. We cannot simply blame Storm Emma and the Beast from the East, even though they certainly made matters worse. “This is consistent both with motorists’ views from this year’s RAC Report on Motoring research and the annual independent study carried out by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) which shows the backlog in terms of road repairs and maintenance continues to grow. The AIA also found that around 20% of local roads are in ‘poor structural condition’, which means they have five years of life or less remaining. “The Government has continued to make some efforts to address the issue. In March 2018 a further £100m was made available to help local authorities repair potholes and storm damage that had resulted from the harsh winter weather. “However, this needs to be seen in the context of the maintenance backlog of over £9.3bn reported by the AIA which is their estimate of the one-off investment required to return local roads to a state that is fit-for purpose. We need a 10-year plan with ring-fenced funding that will eliminate the backlog of preventative maintenance that will stop the plague of potholes appearing every time there is bad weather.”

October 14, 2018 at 10:24AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

GMB slam government decision to abolish plug-in car grant making it more difficult for Private Hire Drivers to go green

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Those who already invested and were looking to change vehicles will now be denied the opportunity to find a lower cost solution, says GMB London

GMB, the union for taxi and private hire drivers, have criticised the government’s decision to abolish the plug-in car grant that has been in place since 2011.Information put out by the government has claimed that “increasing uptake of electric vehicles” is behind their decision to get rid of the grant. Since 2011, buyers of Category 1 electric cars have received a £4,500 subsidy towards the cost of their vehicles. For those buying plug-in hybrids the subsidy was £2,500. However, from 12 November, owners of plug-in hybrids will no longer receive any support and the Category 1 subsidy will be reduced to £3,500. Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Officer said: “With drivers of Euro 5 vehicles facing increased emissions charges in just a few months those who already invested and were looking to change vehicles will now be denied the opportunity to find a lower cost solution. “It is hard enough for taxi drivers who are having to invest in a taxi where they get a 20% discount on vehicles that cost in the region of £60,000 as many will see from social media comments. “To then make London Private Hire Drivers who have a lower vehicle lifespan pay more to be green shows a disdain and disconnect from this group by the Tory government. “This further proves the Conservatives are not the party of the worker or small business.”

October 14, 2018 at 09:38AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cambridge taxi driver under investigation for “Islamophopic” Facebook posts

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A taxi driver from Cambridge is under investigation after posts on his Facebook account were branded Islamophobic.

Cambridge City Council have confirmed that they are aware of the images found and are currently looking into whether the taxi driver, Mark Joyce, is “fit and proper” to hold a hackney carriage licence. Mr Joyce is alleged to have had a Facebook account and posted offensive images against Muslims between 2015 and 2017. The driver has distanced himself from all seven accusations claiming his social media account was hacked. However, according Cambridge Live, Mr Joyce was seen in a photograph holding signage saying “I am not Muslim British and proud’.

October 13, 2018 at 05:46PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Sexual predator with a history of violence slipped through the cracks of Uber’s background checking service

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Court records from both a criminal case against 51-year-old Frederick Gaston and a lawsuit against him and Uber all lead down a dark road occupied by a history of violence that should never of found its way into an industry built on trust.

A 26-year old woman from Miami entrusted her wellbeing into the hands of Uber driver Gaston on the long Labour Day weekend of last year after spending time drinking with friends.

Gaston offered the 26-year-old woman a ride along with one of her friends. According to reports in the Miami New Times, the woman was heavily intoxicated and could barely stand.

Gaston helped the woman into the front seat of his vehicle and her friend into the back. The woman’s friend was dropped off first in Brickell and then they continued on with the journey to her home.

It has been reported that the woman was sick a number of times inside and outside the Uber vehicle as she faded in and out of consciousness.

The reports say that Gaston began to insert his fingers into his victims vagina while driving. He need found a place to stop the vehicle and climb on top of the woman and rape her.

The victim told the police that she feared for her life and thought if she tried to fight him off, he would harm her.

Once the woman was eventually dropped home she was able to get help from a neighbour who called the police.

On arrival, the police found the woman sitting on the stairs crying hysterically. She was later taken to a Miami police station.

During her statement, the woman had suggested that she thought herself and her friend had entered a police vehicle because of the type of car it was, but a photograph she had taken whilst in the vehicle gave clues to what vehicle they were in and what the driver was wearing; old trainers and sweatpants with a distinctive green stripe.

The detective leading the case reviewed CCTV footage of where the woman and her friend was picked up. The footage showed a minivan pull up and a black man could be seen getting out and waiting around.

The detective and her team began to watch the same location to see if Gaston would return. He did. This time on October 23. He was seen driving back and forth. Lead detective Farinas, was approached by a taxi driver who alerted her to a fight that was happening between two women.

Farina ran over to break it up but a man was already pulling the women apart. Farina noticed the minivan parked close by and then noticed that the man breaking up the fight was wearing a pair of track pants with a green stripe down them. It was Gaston.

Gaston was heard offering girls a ride home. Farina pulled the girls to one side and told them to go find their own ride.

Farinas arranged a photo lineup after running the number plate of Gaston’s minivan through the police database but a positive ID was not able to be made.

In a last ditch attempt to catch Gaston, Farinas decided to distribute posters patrol officers to try and get Gaston to come forward - but not as a suspect, but as a witness.

On December 9, Farinas got a call from a police officer who had spotted Gaston. She made her way to him and was able to persuade him to go to the police station to answer a few questions.

Gaston told her that he remembered picking the woman up, stating she was “completely out of it” and was throwing up a lot in the vehicle. He said he dropped her off at her apartment.

Farinas then told him that the woman had said she had been raped, Gaston’s reply was “we had sex, and it was good sex”, Farinas said that he then said that those were the “perks” of being an Uber driver. He said “you get a lot of pussy.”

During the interview Gaston eventually admitted to using his fingers and penis to penetrate the woman and was arrested. He’s been in jail ever since, charged with sexual battery on a physically incapacitated victim.

On June 26, the victim sued Uber and Gaston on the grounds of negligent hiring of Gaston due to the lax security screenings that have also been highlighted in previous sexual assault cases against drivers of the company.

If Uber’s screening process had been more stringent, they may of picked up on records that show Gaston had a restraining order filed against him in 1996 in Miami for repeat violence against a woman.

Judd Rosen, the victim’s attorney said that “Uber markets itself as a safe ride home”, but with the company constantly lobbying to keep background checks out of the hands of the government, it is effectively “putting chum in the water for sexual predators.”

An Uber spokesperson has defended the company’s background check policy and said they have even applied a “911” button to the app in case of emergency.

A case that highlights how a lack of stringent checks can lead to horrific consequences is the trial of Talal Chammout, who was allowed to drive for Uber without a background check, which was reported by CNN. Within three months of working for the ride-sharing app, he followed a passenger into her home and sexually assaulted her.

Chammout had previously been convicted of assault and was also accused of using a crowbar to attack his wife. A simple Google search would of found this. Chammout is now serving a 25 year jail sentence.

Gaston’s criminal case is set to head to trial on October 26.

October 13, 2018 at 02:51PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT