Taxi operators must protect the safety of the public – that’s the message from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police and the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency following a joint road safety initiative in Rhyl.
Officers from the Council’s Community Safety Enforcement team worked with the police’s Road Policing Unit and VOSA, carrying out detailed roadworthiness checks on 11 taxis in the town.
The checks resulted in five taxis being immediately prohibited and suspended by VOSA officers and Council Licensing/ Community Safety Enforcement Officers for a range of issues, including a defective tyre, defective brakes, seat belt, suspension, windscreen and warning lights.
Three taxi drivers were issued with deferred suspensions by Council Officers in relation to taxi licensing conditions, bodywork damage and lighting defects. Deferred suspension is when they can continue to operate the taxi but they have to get some works done or face suspension afterwards for not getting them done.
Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “These operations must send a clear message to all taxi proprietors that Denbighshire County Council, the Police and VOSA are jointly committed to a course of action that will seek out any vehicles that are not fit for purpose. This activity is also designed to gain the confidence of the paying public who use such vehicles and all those persons who use the roads of Denbighshire.
The Council will continue to work in partnership with North Wales Police and VOSA in carrying out taxi and private hire vehicle roadworthiness checks and take appropriate action where necessary”.
Sergeant Tony Gatley of the Roads Policing Unit said: “It is disappointing that once again we detected an unacceptable number of offences that resulted in immediate prohibitions with respect to vehicles that were being used to transport members of the public. People however should be reassured in that we will continue with our work in an aim to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the roads.”
