Make merry in Marrakech: 3nts from £200pp incl. 5* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, make your way to Marrakech with 3 nights from £200pp including the 5* Es Saadi Marrakech Resort Hotel, breakfast & flights. This gorgeous hotel has a great score on TripAdvisor, so your stay in this beautiful city is in safe hands. Holiday details Travel duration: 3 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date:… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Ola today launches UK services in South Wales with more to come

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Ola, one of the world’s largest ride-hailing platforms, has today launched its first UK services across south Wales.

Ola will be the only ride-hailing app in south Wales to offer customers the option of Private Hire Vehicles and Taxis on one user-friendly platform, which will include additional transportation options in the future to provide passengers with greater choice.

To celebrate its UK launch, Ola is offering customers a limited number of discounted rides to try its new service. Customers can download the Ola app on Google Play or the iOS App Store and register for an account to begin booking rides.

Ola places the quality of rides at the heart of its approach, and welcomes drivers to its platform to reap the benefits of market-leading introductory commission rates – as low as 10% for PHV drivers and 5% for Taxis – as well as payments made daily, to help them earn more money and access it easily.

Ben Legg, Managing Director of Ola UK, said: “This is an exciting moment for everyone at Ola and we are very pleased that south Wales is where we will be starting our UK journey. Over recent weeks, Ola has received positive feedback from drivers in south Wales and looks forward to providing passengers with a dynamic, new responsible service. We are determined to do a great job for the community and work closely with local authorities to help with their mobility goals.”

Ola seeks to lead the industry with its approach to passenger safety including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) screened drivers and processes such as 24/7 voice support, options to share ride details with emergency contacts and in-app emergency features. Recognised for its collaborative approach, Ola works with national governments and local authorities, to help solve transport mobility issues in innovative and meaningful ways.

Ola is working with local authorities across the UK to expand nationwide by the end of 2018 and has already obtained licences to operate in Greater Manchester.

Ola’s entry into the UK follows its successful launch in Australia in February 2018, where it now operates in seven major cities. Over 40,000 drivers across Australia have registered since its launch in February and have completed millions of rides. Ola now conducts 1 billion rides each year globally, with more than 1 million drivers and 125 million customers in over 110 cities.

August 20, 2018 at 08:08AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Corfu autumn escape: 5nts of luxury from £359pp incl. flights, hotel & meals

Don't get down in the dumps because summer is almost over, be over joyed at the late season bargains that are now available to you dear Pirates! Like this 5 night escape to Corfu, but this isn't any holiday, this is a 5* luxury holiday right next to the sea. Stay in the beautiful surroundings… Worlds_End_Gem POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Bank Junction closes its doors to taxis once again as surrounding roadworks end

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The controversial Bank Junction in the heart of London’s financial district is due to ban taxis and other traffic once more as roadworks in surrounding areas end.The 18 month traffic modelling “trial” banned all vehicles except for bikes and buses between 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday. £130 penalty charge notices were quickly issued for anyone skirting the exclusions from the junction.However, roadworks on surrounding main roads including Cannon Steeet, Gracechurch Street and King William Street has meant a recent reprieve for all motorists. Access was granted along Queen Victoria Street Eastbound to help ease gridlocked congestion.The City of London have announced that as of start of this week, Monday 19th August, the restrictions are back in place and no taxis are to cross the junction using Queen Victoria Street. From the outset the ban was supported by 150 firms in the City, but there has been long term condemnation by the taxi industry as well as some businesses in the area, which include The Ned Hotel.The restriction surrounding the junction was put in place after cyclist Ying Tao was killed by an HGV turning left in 2015. Between 2012 and 2016 there was 107 accidents which sadly included 2 fatalities.

August 19, 2018 at 11:08PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Wonderful winter sun: 5* Turkey half board holiday from £266pp - 7nts hotel with spa & flights

Ahoy pirates, if you are still looking for a holiday this year then take a look at this Turkey getaway we have come across on our holiday finder. The Turkey holiday is on a half board basis meaning you will receive breakfast and an evening meal in with the price of the holiday. Holiday details… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Budapest Christmas market break 3nts from £249pp - incl. iconic Buddha-Bar hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Stay in a grand 19th-century palace at the iconic 5* Buddha-Bar Hotel in Budapest, fusing Asian colonial design with top-modern facilities, slap bang on the popular shopping street Váci utca this winter. This ultra luxurious hotel offers an opulent haven in gold and red, boasting a relaxing spa and fine dining with the… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Taxi driver beaten and hospitalised by two thugs during theft of his vehicle

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Detectives are appealing for witnesses to two incidents which led to a taxi driver in Leicestershire being assaulted after being pulled out of his taxi which was then stolen.At 10pm last night (Saturday 18 August) a man was sitting in his parked car on Narborough Road near Celt Street when he was threatened by two men who took his mobile phone.Five minutes after that at 10.05pm a taxi driver on the corner of Hinckley Road and Cranmer Street was approached by two men offering him a mobile phone. When he refused to buy it they dragged him out of his taxi, assaulted him and drove off in his vehicle.The vehicle was later found abandoned after it had been driven into a bus stop on Hinckley Road. The taxi driver was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary where he is being treated for a head injury but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.Detective Sergeant Luke Wilsher said; “These incidents happened in a busy area of Leicester at 10pm on a Saturday night so there would have been lots of people around as well as motorists. We’d really like to speak to anyone in the area at the time who might have CCTV footage, dashcam footage or anyone who witnessed what happened. Did you see either of the two incidents or did you see the vehicle crashing into the bus stop? Did you record anything on your mobile phone that might be useful to us?“If you know who was responsible for subjecting this taxi driver to a nasty assault then we’d like to hear from you.”Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 using the reference number 18000393675

August 19, 2018 at 05:51PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Private Hire Driver jailed for stealing £13,000 from a vulnerable passenger

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A private hire driver from Burton has been jailed for 14 months for stealing £13,000 from a vulnerable passenger who would regularly take journeys with him. Shakeel Abbas, 37, picked up his victim from hospital and dropped him off at his Uttoxeter home. The man was admitted to hospital after he had taken an overdose. Abbas would then become his victims regularly driver. During one trip the vulnerable man told Abbas that both his parents had died and left him a lot of money. After gaining his trust, Abbas would spend the next three months persuading his victim to borrow him various amounts of money totalling a staggering £13,000. The victim suffered from depression along with a number of other mental health difficulties after he lost both his parents. Prosecutor Nigel Stelling said:

"The defendant was the driver. It seems the man continued to use the defendant for his journeys thereafter.

"At one point, possibly on the first journey, he divulged his parents had died and he had inherited a substantial amount of money. The defendant took advantage of the situation and asked the man to lend him various amounts of money."Social services highlighted their concerns for the victim when he told them that he could not afford a cleaner. Abbas is said to of been suffering from a gambling addiction and lost the money in a casino. Stephen Hennessey, mitigating, said that Abbas is now registered on a national database and has signed documentation which subjects him to a lifetime ban in all casinos and gambling establishments in the U.K. Hennessey pressed for Abbas to be given a suspended sentence but Judge David Fletcher said that he must be met with an immediate jail sentence. Speaking directly to Abbas, Judge Fletcher said:

"This was a deeply unattractive offence of theft because it appears you deliberately utilised your status as a taxi driver and involved yourself with someone who was vulnerable.

"Over the period of about three months, in the knowledge he had lost his parents and been left their life savings, you systematically divested him of all that money. Not a brass farthing has been paid back to him."There is no doubt this was targeting of a victim. You abused your position as a taxi driver appallingly."

Abbas pleaded guilty to theft, reported the Derbyshire Live.

August 19, 2018 at 05:09PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Discover somewhere new: Return flights to Madagascar from £465

Ahoy globetrotters! They are back again flights to MadagascarMadagascar under £500! Madagascar is the 4th biggest island in the world, located off the east coast of Africa, offering miles of untouched beaches and a fascinating flora and fauna which you won't find anywhere else in the world. Grab the chance spot lemurs, giant tortoises… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Smith and Sniff; Auto bloggers review LEVC TX taxi

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August 19, 2018 at 04:10PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Smith and Sniff - YouTube THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Adults Only 5* Zante break 3nts from £355pp - incl. flights, hotel w/ private beach & breakfast

Arrr mateys! Sometimes you just gotta treat yourself a little and what better way than with this super-luxurious Adults Only Zante break we've found? You'll be staying at the top-rated 5* Lesante Blu (member of 'The Leading Hotels of the World') offers an inviting infinity pool, a secluded beach, a selection of wining and dining… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Smith and Sniff; Auto bloggers review LEVC TX taxi

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August 19, 2018 at 04:01PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Smith and Sniff - YouTube THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Magnificent Majorca: 4nts from £299pp - incl. 5* hotel, breakfast & flights

Pirates, everyone loves a bit of Majorca, and we think we've found a delish deal placing you at the luxe 5* Pure Salt Garonda Hotel, with breakfast & flights. This lush adults only hotel has fancy spa facilities, including indoor and outdoor pool, and is a 1-minute walk from the beach. Bliss! Holiday details Travel… Bosun-Dawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Untrodden Thailand: 5* holiday 7nts from £791pp - incl. Qatar flights, luxury resort & breakfast

Arrr mateys! Discover one of Thailand's lesser known tropical islands Koh Yao Yai situated between Phuket and Krabi which is still largely untouched by tourism. You will be staying in the lap of luxury at the 5* Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa winner of the World Luxury Hotel Awards … Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Are the Conservatives too close to private hire firm Uber?

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Emma Arbuthnot, the chief magistrate who presided over the Uber license appeal back in June is to step down from hearing further cases involving the private hire giant.It was revealed that her husband, Senior Tory Lord Arbuthnot, carried out work for a strategy firm which in turn had advised the Qatar Investment Authority, a major investor in Uber.As a result of this link being highlighted, Lady Arbuthnot has stepped away from hearing any future Uber related cases.It has been claimed by a spokesman that Lady Arbuthnot was unaware of any link between Uber and her husband and therefore herself according to the Observer investigation. Where this leaves the recent hearing over Uber's license in London is anybody's guess given impartially must be paramount in any judicial hearing.Whilst Lady Arbuthnot has acted both swiftly and decisively by taking the appropriate action required to remedy any perceived impartiality, there seems to be a common thread emerging, one which seems to continually highlight significant links between Uber and the Conservative party.June 2015 saw Rachel Whetstone, wife of Steven Hilton, David Cameron's former director of strategy, become Uber's Senior Vice-President of Policy and Communications. Ms Whetstone and her husband were close friends of the Camerons, in fact they were godparents to the former Conservative prime-minister's late son Ivan.

Rachel Whetstone's links to the Conservative party run deep, joining Conservative Central Office after graduating from university, she became an advisor to former Home Secretary Michael Howard.After leaving Conservative Central office to work in the private sector, she returned to become Political Secretary to Michael Howard when he became Tory leader in 2003.The Adam Smith Institute and the Institute For Economic Affairs, are both neo-liberal think tanks which promote economic liberalism and are highly regarded by the government. Philosophies such as free trade, privatisation, austerity and deregulation along with a laissez-faire approach to free trade are attributed to both of these institutes.A shared commonality between both of these particular institutes is that they have been highly critical of the highly regulated and highly qualified licensed London taxi industry as well as the taxi industry countrywide, promoting an almost complete deregulation of the industry. In tandem to this, they have been highly supportive of Uber as well as their business model, expounding the virtues of pushing prices down, that, whilst of benefit to customers price-wise, it potentially becomes crippling to not only those who operate on Uber's platform but also Uber's competition, thus destroying what was seen by many in both the taxi and private hire sector as a reasonably thriving and economically viable industry.One of the founders of both of these institutes was Antony Fisher, who was also the founder of many other libertarian think tanks.Interestingly Antony Fisher was Rachel Whetstone's grandfather. Linda Whetstone, Fishers daughter and Rachel’s mother has also been heavily involved with both the Adam Smith Institute and the Institite for Economic Affairs.The list goes on, former Chancellor of the Exchequor within David Cameron's Government, now Evening Standard editor, George Osborne's links to Black Rock, another Uber investor, are no secret.

We then have the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, an individual who fully subscribes to the neo-liberal, free-market ethos. A man who inexplicably seems to be procrastinating in acting upon an All Party Parliamentary Report into the taxi and private hire industry, a report chock-full of goodies, which could help both the taxi and private hire industry survive and thrive as well as improve public safety.During an active hearing as to whether Uber's license would initially be renewed, a Conservative MP actively lobbied, via a leafleting campaign for TfL to renew Uber's licence, as well as Prime Minister Theresa May, entering into the fray, supporting Uber during last years Tory party conference.Whilst both the lobbying and Theresa May's defence of Uber could be seen as a Conservative Government "kicking against" a Labour run capital city, what cannot be ignored is that all roads regarding the systematic dismantling of both the taxi industry and the private hire sector, seem to be leading to the Conservative party. This dismantling could adversely effect more than 350,000 working individuals nationwide, from drivers to support staff.Whilst Emma Arbuthnot may not have been aware of the links between her husband and Uber, and to be fair there is no reason why she should have been aware, there were many from within the licensed London taxi industry highlighting possibility of links to Uber, via social network sites, when it was revealed that Emma Arbuthnot would be the judge presiding over Uber's licensing appeal. This in itself should have raised alarm bells and triggered an immediate investigation as to whether there was indeed a link.This, being the latest in a rather substantial line of actions or incidents which have involved individuals linked to the Conservative Party, it does beg the question as to whether the taxi industry can ever be treated fairly and equitably, or will they continue to be treated like a battered dog, awaiting the next boot to the ribs, with the eventual hope that the dogs heart gives out.

August 19, 2018 at 01:31PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxe 4* Croatia beach holiday 7nts from £377pp - incl. flights, hotel & breakfast

Arrr pirates! Next up we are sending you to Croatia with a stay at the gorgeous, contemporary 4* Amadria Park Jure Hotel just by the beach in Šibenik. The hotel boasts a selection of pools and restaurants overlooking the sea along with a chic beach club. Breakfast is included and we've found good rates in… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Lake District luxury spa lodge from £293pp - incl. private hot tub, sauna & steam room

Ahoy mateys! Pamper yourself and someone you care about with a romantic spa hideaway at the absolutely gorgeous, award-winning 5* Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in the Lake District. There's a range of luxurious accommodation to choose from, along with a spa, indoor pool and gourmet dining. We opted for a fabulous detached Spa Lodge… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

LCDC Chairman Grant Davis Calls For a uber Re-Trial After Vested Interest Claim In National Press.

As news broke yesterday (which we already new) that Uber appeal Judge Emma Arbuthnot and her husband had a vested interest in the Minicab App Uber, first one up to the plate was the London Cab Drivers Club. 

They took to social media:

Once again it surfaces of “vested interests” & the Cab Trade maybe not getting a fair hearing in the Courts over UBER - Plan B ?

Drivers immediately were calling for action on the street and one prominent trade rep said "I’m sure someone’s arranging the placards as we speak".

London Cab Drivers Club Chairman Grant Davis, made this statement earlier this morning:

The Taxi trade needs to come together and Demonstrate against yet another injustice we have had to endure. We need a full investigation from the legal Ombudsman and a Re-trial .

Complete stitch up again.

It will be very interesting over the next few days to see if Reading Council call for a re-trial after their verdict from Emma Arbuthnot went again in Uber's favour!

Read the damming article which appeared on-line in the Observer yesterday. 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/aug/18/uber-judge-steps-aside

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“Green cab drive needs more cash” says ClientEarth

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Over the last 10 years there has been a huge increase in awareness of the toxic air that many of us who live and work in towns and cities are breathing. But air pollution is a problem that stretches back far beyond the last decade. In post war Britain, the coal that heated people’s homes and fuelled power stations and factories tended to be relatively low-grade and sulphurous. Burned in large quantities it created dense yellowish, black smog which came to be known as “pea soupers.” After a cold snap in the winter of 1952, London was subjected to the most serious of these pollution episodes. The Great Smog is estimated to have caused the deaths of 10,000 people and affected a further 200,000 in London. The air quality crisis we are currently facing is less visible but nonetheless still harms the health of people across the country who have no choice but to breathe in illegal and harmful levels of air pollution. There are many sources of pollution, and many pollutants, which all need dealing with. However, the main source of illegal and harmful levels of nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities is road transport. People are exposed to this on a daily basis. This includes drivers – studies have shown that air pollution can be up to 12 times as high inside a vehicle than outside. We have long known about the impact of this kind of air pollution on people’s health and the evidence is growing. Successive governments have failed to take action to meet legal limits that were agreed as far back as the late 1990s and should have been met in 2010. Without urgent action, the legal limits will still be broken until at least 2028. Faced with this refusal to tackle the problem, ClientEarth has been forced to take legal action to stand up for people’s health. Our legal pressure, the increasing scientific evidence, the Volkswagen diesel-gate scandal, and increased public awareness of the issue, means we are finally starting to see opportunities to put us on a path toward a cleaner and healthier future. Clean Air Zones look likely across the country, with London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone to be introduced in London in April 2019. However, while the government is keen to talk about how committed it is to tackling the problem. The UK is divided into 43 air quality zones for monitoring purposes and in 2016 37 of these areas were still in breach of legal limits for nitrogen dioxide. It is time for serious action from government, not just more words. The aim of the recently released Road to Zero strategy, according to the Transport Secretary, is “Cleaner air, a better environment, zero emission vehicles, a strong clean economy. Electric vehicles were identified as part of the solution to the air pollution crisis. The investment in charging infrastructure mentioned in the strategy is welcome, and absolutely crucial to achieving this, but not enough if it is not accompanied by financial support to help individuals and businesses to replace their older vehicles with cleaner versions or even cleaner forms of transport. A charge point on every lamppost, fuel pump and driveway in the country will not convince drivers to buy an electric vehicle while they are so much more expensive than their petrol or diesel equivalents. In Norway last year, Electric Vehicles (EVs) made up nearly 40% of newly registered passenger cars, in the UK in the first half of 2018 they made up 2%. So, what is the reason for this difference? It simply makes financial sense in Norway to buy an EV. Buyers do not pay import tax or VAT on plug-in cars, which makes the upfront cost thousands of pounds cheaper. Running costs are lower because electricity is cheaper than petrol and diesel, while road tax is reduced and will drop to zero next year. Electric car owners avoid road tolls, ferry fees and low emission zone charges. What is more, parking is free and EV drivers are allowed to use selected bus lanes. The situation in the UK is obviously very different, given that Norway’s population of 5.2 million is a fraction of ours, but with more than 100,000 EVs in such a small country they are doing something right. We have seen some good decisions in the UK over recent years in terms of making EVs more affordable. Notably their exemption from VED, which was recently updated to address the nonsensical exclusion of TXEs. The £7,500 plug-in taxi grant is important, as is the grant for passenger cars and vans, however this should be increased in the short term and continue beyond 2020. Currently we are seeing pockets of leadership from local authorities across the country and in certain business sectors, including the taxi trade, where there is a commitment to zero emission vehicles now, not in five, 10 or 22 years. What we need now is leadership from the Government to support those who are making the right decision. ClientEarth will continue to put pressure on the Government to make sure they do just that.

August 19, 2018 at 10:37AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Dominic Phinn - ClientEarth THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Relaxing Formentera island holiday 7nts from £301pp - incl. flights & hotel

Ahoy mateys! The tranquil Formentera is Ibiza's small sister island, home to Caribbean-like white sandy beaches framed by crystal clear turquoise water and is largely unspoilt by tourism. However, this kind of serenity usually comes with a price tag, which is why we are so excited over this holiday we've spotted! There are ample cheap… Castaway_Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT