Council pulls rank over taxi safety

OLDHAM Licensing Committee has given the green light to tighter safety measures in taxis after checks revealed six out of 10 had faults.

New rules mean operators must ensure 75 per cent of their fleet pass a yearly safety check, first time.

Operators of a four-star company — the highest local standard — must keep a copy of documents relating to half-yearly safety checks and produce them if requested.

Firms which fail to meet the requirements will be summoned before the licensing panel to discuss their service and standards.

Responses - five, from 45 companies — to the consultation were split.

Principal licensing officer John Garforth said: “The majority of responses were in favour of the scheme, but some don’t want operators to have more responsibility.”