Random check on six taxis operating in and around Grimsby reveals licensing breaches

Cllr Shepherd - 'important that standards are of the highest'

A SPOT check on six taxis operating in the Grimsby area revealed serious abuses. 

A report states: "North East Lincolnshire Council’s licensing team and Humberside Police have carried out a joint operation, spot checking six random taxis.

"Drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.

"Licensing teams checked all drivers and general condition of the vehicles while Humberside 

"Police checked the vehicles condition, tyres, and lights. The following issues were found during the inspections on the evening of Sunday, 17 December:

• One vehicle was immediately suspended for having a tyre below the legal tread depth limit and the door signs were mounted on magnets
• One vehicle had accident damage
• One was very unclean and the taxi roof light was not working
• One had a broken light, although it was intact and working

"The council’s licensing team are responsible for issuing licenses to new and continuing taxi drivers, and carry out extensive checks on the vehicles to ensure that they are roadworthy and meet the required standards.

"Throughout the year, the team carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that these standards are being kept to."

Says Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities: "It is important that the standards of our taxis are the highest that they can be and that they are safe for local residents. 

"This work is about making sure these standards are being adhered to.

"I am I’m pleased to say that the majority of drivers do uphold these standards, and I thank them for that. 

"On this occasion, drivers have been spoken to and the issues will be monitored until they are resolved."