Cheltenham taxi drivers have won a stay of execution over emissions rules
TAXI drivers have been granted a stay of execution in their fight against an impending EU policy which they say could threaten their livelihoods.
Members of Cheltenham Borough Council's licensing committee acknowledged the backlash from drivers when it met yesterday – but delayed the decision.
The new rules, due to be introduced by the council on December 1, could mean older taxis would have to be taken off the road in a bid to cut carbon emissions.
Drivers feared the new policy would force them to buy new cars or in some cases give up cab driving totally.
Dozens of cabbies staged a go-slow protest through the streets of Cheltenham this week before handing in a petition to councillors.
The Euro IV test sets a stricter limit on acceptable levels of nitrogen oxides and particles in emissions.
In September, councillors agreed it should form part of the borough's licensing policy for private hire vehicles and Hackney Carriages.
Senior licensing officer Louis Krog accepted there had been a strong reaction from drivers.
"Since September several issues regarding emissions have been raised by members of the trade," he said.
"I suggest we defer sections of this policy with the aim of coming back next month with something to approve."
Councillor Roger Whyborn (LD, Up Hatherley) urged members to meet before then to iron out the issue.
He said: "It is unhelpful to have policy vacuum for a long time."
Committee members voted the rest of the licensing policy through but agreed to defer the emissions rules until a meeting next month.
Speaking after the meeting, taxi driver David Chambers said: "This is typical. I am not surprised they have delayed the decision.
"We want to know if this just for taxis or to buses and council cars as well. If it is just taxis, drivers will be up in arms."
7 Comments
by Anon, Ex Chelt
Sunday, November 07 2010, 9:48AM
“Come on if your a Taxi Driver the Car is a work tool !! As such payer punters expect a high quality product a Car in this case and Driver that should portray a professional image.
If Drivers want to charge Top Rates (which they do) they should have New (ish) Vehicles and Drive in a manner that shows they are professional at the Job. Not old Bangers with a 100'000 plus on the clock.”
by gary knight, cheltenham
Saturday, November 06 2010, 12:58PM
“Councillor Seacombe stated the council are using the European Directive on emissions. The same directive states it is for manufacturers Only and not to be used retrospectively on existing vehicles.”
by TW, Cheltenham
Saturday, November 06 2010, 12:33PM
“*15 years last post”
by TW, Cheltenham
Saturday, November 06 2010, 12:32PM
“Simon - NCAP is to do with safety. This topic is on emissions ratings and has nothing to do with NCAP. However if NCAP is your concern cars were built much better in the last 15 than they ever used to be and a 10 year old Mondeo as you quote is not as bad as you may think.
A well known car review website quotes this about a 10 year old Mondeo:
"Four star performance in 2001 and 2002 NCAP crash safety tests and did particularly well in side impact test."
For pottering around town this is pretty safe!”
by pete, Gloucester
Saturday, November 06 2010, 12:20PM
“Simon Henly, this nothing to do with NCAP, it's the Euro IV spec for vehicle emissions, however, Cheltenham have 'chosen' to say that all Taxis must meet the Euro IV spec. This is not a retro-respective legislation, in that vehicles that conform to earlier specs will not be required to meet the upgrade to Euro IV (in fact we're now working towards Euro VI so that's an old spec anyway). Once again this is a free choice by Cheltenham, Nothing to do with any legislation!”
by Chris, Cheltenham
Saturday, November 06 2010, 11:47AM
“A notable victory for the bully-boy tactics of bringing Cheltenham to a standstill and holding law-abiding road users to ransom. Three cheers for mob rule!”
by Simon Henly, Eastington
Saturday, November 06 2010, 9:32AM
“These taxi drivers have blown this out of all proportion. Many cars built after around 2006 meet the NCAP IV rating meaning there would be absolutely no need for them to buy "new" cars.
These taxi drivers have to take an inward look at themselves. They are providing a service to the paying public, who expect to be safe and expect the service provider to have the highest standards, using the best tools of the trade available. Driving round in some grotty 10 year old Mondeo ain't it.”