A taxi driver and taxi association chairman in Blackburn and Darwen has been refused a license to use his white Peugeot E7 taxi as a hackney carriage. This is despite the fact that TX taxis in the area can be any colour.
Before the case was taken to court, Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed that they would only license hackney taxis if they were black, unless it was a traditional London-style cab, in which case it could be any colour.
Council “Stuck in the past”
The court told Chairman of the Bolton Hackney Carriage Association, Charles Oaks, that he will need to fork out to have his taxi repainted to suit licensing laws.
Mr Oakes is furious at the courts decision to overrule his appeal and is willing to take the council to the High Court in Manchester. He said: “I’m very disappointed about the court decision on my white taxi. Other councils approve different colours.
“Blackburn with Darwen council is stuck in the past. I’m taking legal advice on a judicial review.
“This is not finished. The borough needs new bodywork standards but not ones based on London.”
Council Maintains it’s Stance
The council stands by their decision to have taxi colour rules in place. Councillor Jim Smith commented: “We’re very pleased the court agreed with the licensing sub-committee’s decision to refuse this application to licence a white, non-London style hackney carriage”.
However, it has agreed to work with the taxi trade to investigate the existing taxi bodywork policy. Licensing Committee Chairman, John Wright, said: “Everybody is unhappy at the current bodywork regulations which are difficult to administer.
“We have consulted the taxi trade and will debate new proposals before making a recommendation to Councillor Smith.”