Construction of major new cycle route in south-east London set to begin in 2019

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Transport for London (TfL) has today revealed plans for further improvements to make cycling accessible to all Londoners, announcing that it intends to start work, subject to final approvals, on a major new segregated cycle route in south east London next summer. The new high-quality cycle route will significantly reduce danger to vulnerable road users and also improve pedestrian facilities and public spaces between Tower Bridge and Greenwich. It forms part of the Mayor and TfL's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate all death and serious injury from London's roads by 2041. Construction of the route, which includes 4km of segregated cycle track, should begin next summer. More than 3,000 people responded to the consultation, with 83 per cent in favour. Many respondents suggested that it would make cycling safer and more appealing and help to reduce air and noise pollution along the route. The route will see a new, two-way segregated cycle track on Tooley Street, Jamaica Road, Evelyn Street and Creek Road, five new pedestrian crossings and upgrades to more than 20 existing pedestrian crossings. The project will also see a complete overhaul of Rotherhithe roundabout, tackling another junction on TfL's Safer Junctions list, which includes those with some of the worst safety records in the capital. In response to feedback, TfL has developed new designs in several areas of the route, which address comments raised during the consultation and will ensure that people walking and cycling are protected from other traffic. This includes proposed changes in traffic movements at the junction of Southwark Park Road and Jamaica Road, where TfL will be carrying out a further consultation early next year to give residents the opportunity to have their say. TfL will also carry out a joint consultation with Southwark Council on detailed proposals for the Lower Road section of CS4 in spring 2019. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, construction could start on the Lower Road section in 2020. The route will be a major addition to London's growing cycling network, which is helping to sustain a boom in the numbers of people choosing to get around the capital by bike. TfL is committed to delivering high quality cycle routes across London and is also working with Greenwich Council on a new cycle route between Greenwich and Woolwich and this is included in TfL's Business Plan. Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: `I am really pleased that the construction of Cycle Superhighway 4 will get underway in the summer. The overwhelming support during the public consultation shows there is great demand for a safe segregated route, which will help enable more people to cycle. Pedestrians will also benefit from new and improved crossings, enabling more people to leave their cars at home and leading to reduced congestion and cleaner air, which will benefit the whole community.'

December 14, 2018 at 07:25AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Transport for London THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Londoners encouraged to get home safely during the festive period by TfL

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As the festive party season approaches, Transport for London (TfL) is stepping up its Safer Travel at Night (STaN) activity, reminding people of the dangers of unbooked minicabs and providing advice on how to safely get a taxi (black cab) or booked minicab home. Working alongside the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police (CoLP), TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire Compliance team – which has recently been given new powers to combat illegal taxi and private hire activity – will be increasing their enforcement activity to deal with unbooked minicabs and other illegal activity by targeting priority locations across the capital. Officers will also be engaging with revellers to remind them of the rules for booking a private hire vehicle or hailing a black taxi and to encourage people to report any incidents to TfL and the police. Booking a minicab means that there is a record of the journey, the driver and vehicle used, so in the event of any problems the driver can be traced.Advice for using a black cab: - Black cabs (taxis) are different to minicabs, they can be approached on the street or at taxi ranks - Black cabs do not need to be pre-booked, but can be via app, phone or online

Advice for using a minicab: - Book your minicab journey through a licensed minicab operator, via a booking app, phone, email or at a minicab office - When booking a minicab, you should receive confirmation highlighting the driver and vehicle details as well as the driver’s photo - Private hire operators will have a record of the journey, the driver and the vehicle used so that, in the event of any problems, the driver can be traced

As well as reminding the public of how they can stay safe, TfL officers will be speaking directly to minicab operators, reminding them of their responsibilities towards passenger safety.

Siwan Hayward, Director of Compliance and Policing at TfL, said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves and celebrate during the festive season, but also we want everyone to get home safely. Working alongside the police, our TfL enforcement teams will be out in numbers over the next few weeks to tackle illegal minicabs, and check that licensed drivers and vehicles meet our standards. Our message is that if you use a minicab, make sure it’s booked with a licensed operator and check before getting in. Booking a minicab means that there is a record of the journey, the driver and vehicle used, so in the event of any problems the driver can be traced.” Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, from the MPS, said: “The Roads and Transport Policing Command is committed to making travelling around London safer for everyone. We work with TfL, using overt and covert tactics to target illegal cab activity. Our officers will be engaging with the general public, minicab operators, drivers, licensed premises and further education establishments around how to keep safe whilst enjoying the festivities and London nightlife.” “My advice is make sure you plan your journey home before you go out, whether by Tube, bus, black cab or minicab. Know the difference between a black cab and a minicab. You can only flag down black cabs, if you flag down a minicab you will not be insured. Both black cab and minicab drivers must have their ID showing their photograph and licence details visible. Look for the official licence plates and numbers on vehicles and ask to see the driver’s badge if it is not visible. Remember if in doubt don’t get in.” “If you witness or are the victim of a crime, report it to the police. Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if the crime is in progress. Call 101 to contact the police if the crime is not an emergency. You can also use the online crime reporting tool.” Inspector Paul Doyle, from the City of London Police said: “Christmas is a busy time for everyone. Events in the nearby area or bad weather can sometimes affect your route home or perhaps you’ve gone for an impromptu drink after work with colleagues and can’t drive or cycle home as intended. “If you find yourself needing to get a taxi, make sure you get a black cab or pre-book a private hire car through a licensed minicab operator you’ve used before and trust. Always check that the minicab you ordered is the one you get into. If you have any problems with the driver of a black cab or minicab driver, report it to police.”

December 13, 2018 at 11:19AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Jacob Rees-Mogg highlights “brilliant point” made by London cabbie on Brexit

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Conservative MP and staunch Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg revealed on radio that a recent discussion with a London black cab driver highlighted a “brilliant point” on where his priorities should lie in relation to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Rees-Mogg speaking on TalkRadio said: “I was in a taxi yesterday. The taxi driver said to me, which I thought was a brilliant point, that when he voted he didn’t vote for a deal or no deal. He voted to Leave. And that is what he expects to happen, and I think that’s the view of the majority of the British people.”

The MP has come under serious criticism following the failed attempt to remove the current Prime Minister Theresa May via a vote of no confidence.

December 12, 2018 at 11:33PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wearing earphones while behind the wheel could see you issued with a whopping fine and even facing a driving ban

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Wearing headphones while driving could land you in hot water with the authorities and could even see you issued with a fine of up to £5,000 and nine penalty points on your licence. The huge penalties can be handed out by the police if they believe wearing a pair has distracted you from driving with due care and attention. Although no specific law states a complete ban on headphones, experts suggest having them in/on your ears is likely to interfere with your road awareness by blocking out noise from traffic and even emergency sirens. A driver is expected to remain fully focused, ready to anticipate problems that may arise with a split-second notice and experts believe a good driver will use all his senses. You may yourself wear, or know of others, that drive around with an earpiece attached to the side of your head even if you’re not listening to anything. Well it’s probably best to keep in mind the potential punishment were you to get caught up in a road traffic incident. If the police feel that your driving was distracted by the headphones you are highly likely going to receive a whopping fine along with points on your licence.

December 12, 2018 at 05:23PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber warned over self-driving vehicles colliding every 15,000 miles

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A whistleblower at Uber has revealed that their self-driving vehicles are having collisions approximately every 15,000 miles.

It was also alleged that the issues surrounding the self-driving vehicles were evident prior to the tragic accident which killed Elaine Herzberg in Tempe, Arizona, with one Uber employee trying to highlight problems just days before her death.

According to a report in Ars Technica, Robbie Miller, an operations manager at Uber, attached to their self-driving truck program, stated that an autonomous car was hitting something every 15,000 miles.

Miller also claimed that in November 2017, a vehicle became subject to what was described as "dangerous behaviour."

Despite the driver highlighting the issue, the report was allegedly ignored. Miller then requested an investigation, and again, it is alleged that request was also ignored.

It was then a fortnight later that an analysis of the vehicles data log was performed.

Miller also claims that an autonomous vehicle drove along the pavement for a short distance.

One suggestion made by Robbie Miller is for Uber to dramatically cut back on its testing program, reducing its fleet, as well as using two people to road test the vehicles instead of one. This would then allow somebody to better monitor the vehicle behaviour and characteristics, while the other person concentrates on road safety.

He also stated that every time that an Uber autonomous vehicle is involved in a crash, the entire fleet should be taken off of the road, pending an investigation.

It is believed that Uber are planning to run sef-driving vehicles on a one mile, fixed loop between two company offices in Pittsburgh. The vehicles will be restricted to daytime operations.and won’t operate during adverse weather.

December 12, 2018 at 04:55PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

mytaxi launch new “Going Home” option on driver app

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mytaxi, one of Europe’s leading taxi e-hailing apps has today launched its “going home” feature which will enable drivers to get an extra fare whilst driving home. The new logic within the app is the latest feature offered by mytaxi that will help drivers to maximise their earnings every day. Once drivers enter their home destination the app will automatically navigate in that direction and will then only offer jobs that bring them closer to home. David Savage, UK General Manager of mytaxi said: “We know that the “going home” feature has been on the wish list for a while and we are pleased to launch it today. Over the last few weeks we have been in the testing phase and feedback has been very good so far. “We have been looking forward to launching the going home feature within the app for a while and are pleased to be able to help drivers get that extra trip on their way home.” Every driver on the app will be able to use the new feature by tapping the arrow icon on the left side of the map on the home screen once they have updated to the latest version of the app. Here is a video which shows how the “going home” feature works:

December 12, 2018 at 04:03PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Two injured after taxi collision

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A collision involving a taxi has left two people injured, with one suffering a head trauma.

The accident, which happened at approximately 10.20pm on December 10, occured in Millbay Road outside the Plymouth Pavillions where Madness had been performing.

Emergency services were called and one person was taken to Derriford hospital for treatment. The extent of the victims injury is unknown at this time.

Devon and Cornwall police confirmed that they had attended a road traffic accident in the area.

December 12, 2018 at 12:07PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Not all electric cars as rapid as the chargepoints says RAC report

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Widespread confusion over how fast electric vehicles can be ‘refuelled’ could be undermining efforts to provide an adequate public chargepoint network. The latest battery-only cars need only five minutes at the quickest ‘Rapid’ chargepoints to take on enough electricity to add about 15 miles of range. However, because of the limitations of their on-board control units, it will take almost all plug-in hybrids an hour or so – or twelve times as long – to achieve a similar thing. This mismatch means that expensive, high-specification equipment which is essential to battery-only vehicles on long journeys could be blocked by other, slower-charging vehicles. The warning comes in a new report – Development of the UK Public Chargepoint Network – for the RAC Foundation by Harold Dermott. The report is a follow up to an earlier work on the same subject published by the Foundation in September 2017. Mr Dermott argues that until plug-in hybrids have both a greater electric-only range and can accept electricity at a faster rate, chargepoints at motorway service areas should be reserved solely for battery-only cars. The author identifies two types of recharging behaviour on the public network:

Journey charging – where the primary purpose of being at the chargepoint location is to ‘fill up with electricity’Grazing charging – where recharging is secondary to other activities such as shopping, visiting a leisure centre, parking at a railway station

The report notes that whilst there has been an improvement in the reliability of public chargepoints in the last year – resulting in a reduction of out of service chargepoints from 14.8% (one in seven) to 8.3% (one in twelve) – there are still too many malfunctions. The study recommends that chargepoint locations for battery-electric vehicles – particularly the larger hubs that are now being trialled – need to offer the services and facilities routinely found at traditional petrol stations, such as: protection from the weather, food and drink facilities, toilet provision and good lighting. It also says that while the pace at which the public chargepoint network has grown has been impressive, the difficulty of predicting how the electric vehicle market will evolve puts the onus on manufacturers to do more to communicate their future plans to infrastructure providers so that money is not wasted investing in the wrong equipment in the wrong location. At the end of July 2018 there were 112,000 plug-in hybrid and 54,000 pure battery-electric vehicles registered in the UK. The government’s plug-in grant is currently worth up to £3,500 per car and only those vehicles that have a zero-emission range of at least 70 miles are eligible. Plug-in hybrid cars which were previously eligible for the scheme are now excluded. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Ever-faster and more powerful chargepoints might sound like the answer to creating the electric car recharging network we need, but if the cars themselves can only be recharged at a certain rate then at best we’re going to be disappointed and at worst we’re going to waste money. Compatibility between car and charger is key. “In an area where policy, technology and the market are almost falling over themselves, such is the pace of change, communication between all parties is fundamental. Neither society nor drivers will reap all the potential rewards of greener transport if there is confusion about how it should best be delivered. “However, there are good signs of progress. Even as we go to print some of the issues highlighted in the report are being addressed. Government is funding seventeen electric vehicle charging hubs through its Go Ultra Low Cities programme, and work is proceeding apace in both the Mayor for London’s chargepoint Task Force and the national Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce. “Ultimately, refuelling electric vehicles should be at least as convenient and fuss-free as filling up with petrol or diesel. As the report makes clear we may be on the right road but we are not there yet.”

December 12, 2018 at 09:26AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Could Crossrail delay bring relief to London cabbies

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It has been revealed that Crossrail is to be delayed indefinitely, with no chance of being unveiled until at least 2020, bringinhg some much needed relief to the taxi industry, which was concerned at the impact it may have on some journeys, particularly trips to and from Heathrow Airport.

The delay, which was reported in The Guardiancentres around a £2-3bn black hole in the project's budget.

Mayor Sadiq Khan, and the Department for Transport, have procured loans in excess of £2bn, to try and complete the beleaguered project, which is now expected to top out at £17.6bn, up £2.8bn from last Junes predicted end cost.

Crossrail was initially due to open in December 2018, it was then pushed back until Autumn 2019. This further delay will be seen as yet another blow to the project which has been beset by issues. Apart from rrunning over budget and running over time, extensive safety tests will need to be performed on the highly complicated, state of the art signalling system, as well as the completion of station and tunnel interiors.

There have been fears amongst the taxi industry that between the massive road constrictions and restrictions, impinging on the surface transport network, and the impending opening of the Elizabeth Line, the ability for the taxi industry to perform its remit could be jeopordised.

It is believed that the National Audit Office is planning to investigate the Crossrail project and it is expected that the reports and minutes of board meetings will be published.

December 11, 2018 at 05:32PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Steve Kenton THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber win Brighton licensing appeal much to councils disappointment

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Controversial ride-hailing app Uber has won it’s licensing appeal against Brighton & Hove City Council.

A spokesperson from the council said that they was disappointed to have lost the ruling held at Brighton Magistrates' Court. The court felt the minicab firm did meet the national legislation requirements despite Brighton Council’s concerns that standards had dropped following the 2016 global data breach cover up. Uber will continue working the south coast, as they have over the appeal process, and currently hold a licence for the next five years. Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), said “We’re disappointed that Brighton Magistrates Court caved in and let a greedy and immoral firm win. “Uber failed to meet the Council’s public safety standards by refusing to use only Brighton and Hove licensed drivers in the city and by losing passengers’ data. Despite claiming that it is a fit and proper operator, Uber has not changed. Neither we nor the Council are fooled. “Today, the justice system has failed both passengers and taxi drivers. "This controversial and wrong decision is likely to be appealed.”

December 11, 2018 at 07:03PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi and private hire industry in London is “enduring systemic adverse impacts” says Karhoo

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The taxi and private hire industry in London is ‘enduring systemic adverse impacts’ according to one of the country’s major electronic platforms. London-based Karhoo makes the claim that taxis are likely to dwindle and potentially disappear in its submission to the Greater London Authority’s investigation into taxis and PH. The headline figures of a large increase in PH numbers in London and claims of being the cause of congestion have obscured what is really happening, the company claims. With drivers’ wages continuing to decline and the number of PH operators reducing, Karhoo says more needs to be done to ensure the system works better for drivers, passengers and operators most of whom are smaller companies. This could include expanding the role of taxis and PH through technology, the firm suggests. Karhoo, which has connected with over one million licensed taxis and cars worldwide, called on Transport for London to develop objective measures for what “good” looks like in the industry and to identify the causes of decline. The company argues the transport body should also introduce a regular survey to monitor the health of the industry in areas such as driver pay, journey volumes, growth in demand and profitability. This could then be used to identify the root causes of the problems and make interventions, says Karhoo. Citing statistics from TfL Karhoo warns applications for the Knowledge of London are reducing significantly. The number of PH driver licence renewals has also moved from steady growth to a noticeable decline. The submission also calls for greater collaboration across the industry from PH fleets, their representative organisations and the taxi industry and the involvement of technology companies, disability representative groups and consumer and safety groups. Karhoo’s response said: “The inability to thrive appears to be impacting all sizes of business in all geographies across London……Widespread reports from operators in all sectors concerning the difficulty of recruiting PH drivers underlines this notion.” “The reduction in the number of candidates to the Knowledge of London candidates suggests that the hardly discernible reduction in Licensed London Taxi Drivers over recent times is likely to accelerate as less people enter the industry given the demographics of this sector.” “In summary, the taxi and private hire industry appears not to be thriving and is in fact enduring systemic adverse impacts.”

Karhoo Co-CEO Boris Pilichowski said: “It’s no secret that there is massive potential for the taxi and PH sectors to grow. However, changes need to be made to ensure the industry as a whole thrives.

“That can only be done by upholding standards and making sure that certain groups aren’t being exploited. Technology will also have an important part to play. “That’s why we’ve put forward our submission – to help authorities help drivers, passengers, and smaller firms.”

December 11, 2018 at 05:36PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Court hears Uber driver shook his eight-week-old son to death after changing the baby's nappy delayed him meeting his lover

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An Uber driver shook his eight-week-old son to death after changing the baby's nappy delayed him meeting his lover, a court heard.Abdoul Boudabes, 39, allegedly attacked baby Tyrone Boudabes as his partner, Henrietta Beugre, took a shower at their flat in Plumstead, southeast London, on 16 September 2016.Jurors heard Boudabes had earlier sent a text to his second girlfriend, Safi Totaud, saying 'Miss u bbz', to which she replied 'Me too love'.He had told Ms Totaud he was on his way to see her as he was drove Miss Beugre and Tyrone home to their bedsit in Macoma Road.But Boudabes allegedly lost his temper after his son soiled himself and shook him with 'such force' that he suffered fatal brain damage.Tyrone, who was later found lying naked on a changing mat at the end of the bed, died from his injuries in hospital for days later.A post-mortem revealed he had suffered a number of bleeds on the brain, trauma to his spine and retinal haemmorhages, the Old Bailey heard.Simon Mayo, QC, prosecuting, told jurors: 'There will no doubt be many questions that you will have to grapple with in this case, including perhaps why an otherwise ostensibly loving father would inflict serious injury on his infant child.'It is a sad fact that parents, even loving parents, sometimes do things in a fit of sudden anger or frustration that they would not otherwise do.'It is in that context that we ask you to consider the surrounding circumstances that evening.'The defendant was due to meet with Safi Totaud, the other woman in his life.'He was clearly anxious to be on his way because he had urged Miss Beugre to be quick in the shower.'Feeling under pressure of time, perhaps the last thing that he wanted was to be delayed any further.'But that was inevitably what was going to happen when Tyrone's profuse diarrhoea covered not only the bed but his clothes.'It is in all likelihood those circumstances that led to a sudden loss of temper on the part of the defendant which in turn led to him violently shaking Tyrone with such force that he suffered fatal brain damage.'Boudabes had been in a relationship with Ms Totaud since 2012 and began seeing Ms Beugre after meeting her in 2014, the court heard.He and Miss Totaud were trying to have a baby and he believed she would leave him if she found out about his relationship and baby with Miss Beugre, jurors heard.Boudabes and Miss Beugre took Tyrone to the doctor for a check-up and immunisations on the morning of 16 September.He later collected them from a mutual friend's hair salon, then dropped Miss Beugre at a kebab shop on the way back to their bedsit while he went on ahead with Tyrone.Boudabes texted Ms Totaud at 8.12pm saying 'I'm on my way' when he was still in his car with Miss Beugre and Tyrone, the court heard.He was alone with the baby for 10 minutes while Miss Beugre was coming home with her kebab and for a further 10 minutes while she was in the shower.Boudabes called paramedics at 9pm and said his son had started crying while he was bathing him then stopped breathing.He later claimed the infant had banged his head while he was washing him, the court heard.Boudabes was arrested on 17 September 2016 and told officers during interview that Tyrone had 'pooed' everywhere and he had dropped him back on the changing mat and began cleaning up.He admitted he was annoyed because the faeces had spread everywhere, including on his own clothes.Consultant Forensic Pathologist Dr Nat Cary concluded that Tyrone's injuries were the result of a head injury caused by shaking and or impact, the court heard.Mr Mayo added: 'It is the prosecution's case that Mr Boudabes was responsible for inflicting the injuries to Tyrone that were to lead to his death.'There was no witness to the actions which caused the injuries to Tyrone but the prosecution will call compelling expert evidence to prove that the injuries suffered were non-accidental and that they were most likely caused by Tyrone being shaken violently.'Boudabes, of Chingford Road, Walthamstow, east London, denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.The trial continues.

December 11, 2018 at 02:57PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Korean Taxi driver burns himself to death outside National Assembly Building in protest against ride-sharing app

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A South Korean taxi driver has reportedly died by setting himself on fire in his vehicle to protest against a app based carpooling service which many drivers believe will threaten their jobs and livelihoods. 57-year-old taxi driver, Choi, reportedly drove his vehicle and parked in front of the National Assembly Building in Seoul at around 2pm on Monday 10. He then drenched himself in a flammable liquid and set himself on fire. Choi was rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save him. According to a report in World of Buzz, Choi had notified his acquaintances of his plans to set himself on fire. Taxi drivers have become more and more concerned about the introduction of carpooling service KaKao Mobility, which many believe will have a severe negative impact of their jobs. KaKao Mobility is set for it’s official launch on December 17 although taxi drivers have been persistent in opposing the decision to grant a service operators licence to them. Condolences have been sent to Choi’s family and friends by the Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association.

December 11, 2018 at 10:08AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Michael Murphy THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber driver sword attacker leaves suicide note saying “The Queen and her soldiers will all be in hellfire”

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An Uber driver accused of attacking police officers with a samurai sword outside Buckingham Palace left a suicide note which said: ‘The Queen and her soldiers will all be in hellfire.’ Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, 27, drove his blue Toyota Prius through traffic cones at a marked police van and reached for the blade on 25 August last year, the Old Bailey heard. He was sprayed with CS gas and arrested after repeatedly shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ during a scuffle with two officers outside the royal residence at Constitution Hill, jurors heard.

Chowdhury drove with a coal black samurai sword and a knife sharpener from his home in Kirkwood Road, Luton, to the road opposite Buckingham Palace.

He then allegedly swerved in front of a police van and the two officers inside had to be taken to hospital after the stuggle at 8.30pm. Chowdhury was born in London in May 1991 and later moved to Luton, working as a self-employed Uber driver. Prosecutor Timothy Cray told the jury that Chowdhury planned to die as a martyr, fighting in the name of Allah. In his ‘suicide note’ which he left on his sister’s laptop on the night, Chowdhury wrote: ‘Tell everyone I love them and that they should struggle against the enemies of Allah with their lives and their property. ‘The Queen and her soldiers will all be in hellfire. ‘They go to war with Muslims around the world and kill them without any mercy. ‘They are the enemies Allah tells us to fight.’ Chowdhury had been driving along the south east side of the road nearest the palace when he saw the marked police van coming the other way from St James’ Park way. ‘The defendant swerved his Uber motorcar through the traffic cones that were designed to keep roads apart. ‘This manoeuvre was designed to bring him into the path of a marked police van,’ said Mr Cray. As Chowdhury swerved across the road the officers inside initially thought the driver might be drunk or on drugs, the court heard. ‘This defendant had something far more serious in his mind,’ said Mr Cray. ‘At 5.15pm this defendant had sent a note to his sister and more accurately he left a note on her laptop.’ ‘He was saying to her “by the time you read this note I will be in paradise with Allah” and he was saying to his sister in clear terms that he intended to get to paradise by becoming a martyr, fighting, in his words, “enemies of Allah”.’ Chowdhury had bought a sharpener from Sainsbury’s and taken it to the scene with him. ‘This defendant did prepare for an act of terrorism. He had thought about what he was doing. He left a note saying he was going to die as a martyr,’ Mr Cray said. ‘He went to a prominent location in London armed with a deadly weapon and attacked police officers. ‘There is the clearest possible evidence that he did bring terror to the streets of London, trying to attack police officers right outside Buckingham Palace.’ Jurors heard Chowdhury’s mother had suffered from bipolar throughout their childhood, with her disorder having an impact on the family. ‘The family saw some hints that he was getting involved in Islamic extremism but only hints,’ said Mr Cray. One such hint was when he made them watch ‘The State,’ a British tv programme about British men travelling to join the Islamic state, jurors heard. His sister passed off a comment he made saying, ‘I support ISIS,’ as a throwaway joke, because she didn’t think he was particularly religious, Mr Cray explained. Police investigators found Chowdhury had searched beheadings in Chechnya, Islamic State beheadings and Jihadi John on the internet. He also wrote on a WhatsApp group that the Westminster attacker, who was killed by police was killed by the enemies of Allah, ‘stood up to the bastards in his own way,’ and was ‘killed by a bullet from a pig.’ The judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, told jurors that the case may engage their emotions but a ‘reasoned and calm mindset’ was needed to try Chowdhury. Chowdhury, of Kirkwood Road, Luton, denies one count of preparing to commit an act of terrorism. The trial continues.

December 11, 2018 at 09:34AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

A single national licensing authority for taxis in Wales

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The Welsh Government has set out plans to take taxi and private hire licensing away from local licensing authorities and hand it over to a single national licensing authority.

This was the proposal to set out in the Welsh Government’s improving public transport white paper. In the white paper, the Welsh Government said “…there is a need for reform to develop a licensing framework that reflects current working practices.”

Examples cited in the white paper causing the Welsh Government concern with the current licensing arrangements in Wales included:

- the variation in taxi and PHV standards between the twenty two local authorities in Wales;

- the inability to take enforcement action against vehicles which are operating “out-of-area”; and - the difficulty in sharing relevant safeguarding information.

As a solution to this, the Welsh Government said: “…the existing taxi and PHV licensing functions of the twenty two Welsh local authorities should be redirected to a single national licensing authority.” The single national licensing authority will be a Joint Transport Authority.

The Welsh Government is of the view that “skills and knowledge available within local authorities to effectively discharge their transport functions successfully is diminishing” and that this “would be detrimental to achieving the Welsh Government’s ambitions for public transport provision.”

This proposal, amongst others, is subject to consultation before a final decision is made however the Welsh Government has confirmed that it is strongly in favour of this proposal.

December 10, 2018 at 10:21PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Stephen McCaffrey THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

High Court Quashes Wakefield Taxi Licence Fees

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There is no general rule of full recovery of the cost of administration of licence regimes. The power to set taxi licence fees, and the extent of such power, is limited by the words of the LGMPA 1976. The High Court has quashed the licence fees charged for private hire vehicle and hackney carriage licences set by Wakefield City Council, following a claim for judicial review by the Wakefield District Private Hire and Hackney Association. His Honour Judge Saffman, sitting as a deputy judge of the High Court, held that the fees charged by Wakefield were unlawful. In particular, the Council had wrongly interpreted section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and had erroneously charged the costs of enforcement against drivers (for speeding, bad parking, dressing inappropriately and a miscellany of uncivil or illegal conduct) to the control and supervision of vehicles. Wakefield’s case had been that the costs were properly accounted for against vehicles because the errant drivers were driving vehicles. The learned judge described that as ‘stretching beyond breaking point’ the language of the section. The case is of wider importance as it dispels any suggestion that there is a general principle of law that licensing regimes should be self-financing. The judge made it clear that a local authority’s entitlement to recover from the licence fee the costs of administering a licensing regime is governed by the words of the empowering statute. Where Parliament has awarded local authorities a broad discretion to set such licence fees “as they think reasonable”, the courts have upheld policies of full cost recovery on the ground that the policies, being reasonable, are intra vires; but where, as in s 70 LGMPA 1976, the power to charge a fee is circumscribed by reference to specific heads of recovery, recovery is restricted to those specified heads. Licensing authorities are creatures of statute, and have no powers beyond those which statute has given them. In the course of the High Court action it became apparent that Wakefield Council has overcharged private hire vehicle licence fees by an aggregate sum in excess of £1million, which will form the subject of a claim for restitution.Gerald Gouriet QC and Charles Streeten acted for the successful claimant, with the assistance of A2Z licensing.

December 10, 2018 at 09:28PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Gerald Gouriet QC THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT