Joint taxi safety operation

A joint operation by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire Police found six taxis operating to have faults.

Five had minor defects, while one had a tyre fault and was suspended from operating.

The spot checks aimed to monitor the standard of private hire taxis in the borough and make sure the public is getting a legal and safe service. Fourteen vehicles were checked in total.

The taxis with minor defects were given seven days to rectify the faults or they would be prohibited from operating as a private hire taxi until the faults were rectified, and they will be checked for compliance.

Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for environment, said:

Carrying out evening spot checks is one of the tools the council uses to make sure the taxi fleet operating in the borough is safe.

The trade has a responsibility, and legal requirement, to keep its vehicles in a roadworthy state. The cooperation of the trade, plus spot checks, and the penalty points scheme, is driving up standards in the fleet.

We would like to reassure the public that these operations will continue to be carried out regularly to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and public safety remains our priority.

The council’s policy requires that all taxi vehicles need to have an MOT every six months when the car is over three years old.