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16
Jun 2022
Harrogate cabbies deliver letter to council protesting at changes
Two Harrogate taxi drivers delivered a letter signed by 154 cabbies to Harrogate Borough Council's Civic Centre this morning protesting against a raft of new licence conditions they believe are unfair.
The changes, which were approved by the council in April, include potentially revoking a driver's licence if they receive seven penalty points.
They also stipulate drivers must keep taxi plates on their vehicles even when they are not working, attend mandatory training courses and adhere to stricter rules around scuffs and scratches on vehicles.
Following the Stray Ferret's article on the new conditions last week, the taxi drivers received some criticism on social media for opposing the seven penalty points rule.
Blueline driver David Goodall wanted to stress that drivers are "not asking for permission" to speed but that the points ban was only one aspect of the changes that he believes will irreparably hurt the trade.
He added:
Taxi driver Musa Ebzao believes making drivers display their taxi plates at all times could put their security at risk and make their cars or their homes a target for thieves.
Read more:
- ‘We just want to make a living’: Harrogate cabbies hit out at new rules
Harrogate district taxi drivers hit out at ‘unfair’ penalty points proposal
He added that sending experienced drivers on four days of compulsory training was "really insulting".
Legal action
Mr Ebzao and Mr Goodall said they will be awaiting a response from the council licensing team but hadn't ruled out future legal action or protests.
Mr Goodall said:
A council spokesperson said it would not be issuing a response to the letter and that its position has not changed from last week's statement, which said:
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