A GRIEVING family asked for an inquest to be adjourned so they could get a second opinion on the cause of their disabled son’s death.
Kristian Holgate, aged 17, of Highfield Road, Rastrick, died at home on March 1 – less than a month after the taxi he was a passenger in crashed.
The belt holding Kristian into his wheelchair was not fastened and he was flung on to the floor when the taxi crashed.
His parents, Kevin and Ann Holgate, believe if his seatbelt belt had been fastened, he would not have died.
Kristian suffered Duchenne muscular dystrophy and was wheelchair bound. He was left with a large cut on his head and an injured knee after the smash on February 9, 2009, at New Hey Road, near Ainley Top.
Pathologist Richard Knights said the cause of Kristian’s death was respiratory failure and the injuries from the crash had not contributed to it.
The family asked for the inquest to be adjourned after Coroner Roger Whittaker said he would have to rule that Kristian’s death was a result of natural causes.
The family can now ask another expert to review Dr Knights’ report.
“When you are content to carry on, I will,” said Mr Whittaker.
It is not known when the inquest will be resumed.
The taxi driver, Rahim Dad, 44, who drove for Streamline taxis, Hudders-field, has been charged with dangerous driving.
The court case has been adjourned pending the conclusion of the inquest.
source: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/39Tell-us-how-our-son.6087431.jp
LONDON – January 29, 2010: Warsaw got its first taste of a world famous Icon last night when the London taxi was launched by Dufort London Taxis at it’s after sales premises, MOTORTEST UL.PILCHOWICKA 19 M1 02-175 WARSZAWA.
Delighted with the turn out and reaction from guests, Jacek Kurowski, Managing Director of Dufort said: “I have been working for a long time to bring this fantastic vehicle to Poland and people love it just as much as I do.
“I am now able to help taxi companies in Poland offer a real alternative to the cheap cramped saloon taxis or the expensive limousines.”
In order to to bring the iconic taxi to Poland, Jacek worked with The London Taxi Company, the international sales brand for LTI who manufacture the world famous vehicle.
Matthew Cheyne, International Market development Director for The London Taxi Company said: “It was a great evening, enjoyed by all. Everyone I have spoken to are very excited about being able to use a proper London taxi opposed to a saloon car.
“Wawa, the company buying the London Taxi will offer it as a professional premium service for people who want comfort, privacy and a quality service.”
The London Taxi Service will be offered as an alternative to the local taxi but with the service features people expect to experience which include, professional drivers, safety, and security and of course a taxi that holds five people comfortably.
Worthing wheelchair taxi hot-line launched
A SPECIAL hot-line has been launched for people who want to order a taxi which is suitable for wheelchair-users.
Worthing Taxi Association and Worthing Borough Council have responded to complaints that insufficient wheelchair accessible taxis were available for disabled residents.
Taxi drivers Trevor Goss (left) and Gary Bazley with 90 year old Florence Lisher and the new taxi rank sign (pictured right)
The council said the complaints were being received despite an increase in the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis licensed in the borough.
So, to make things easier, the Worthing Taxi Association has launched a special hot-line for people needing a wheelchair-accessible taxi.
The number is 01903 230302 and will be manned from 7am until midnight, seven days a week.
source: http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/worthing/Worthing-wheelchair-taxi-hotline-launched.6024489.jp
House of Lords Publications on the internet
Other Public Bills before Parliament Bill Home Page Equality Bill
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AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED IN COMMITTEE
[Supplementary to the Third Marshalled List]
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Clause 148 LORD OUSELEY 108S*
Page 94, line 9, at end insert “take such steps as it reasonably considers appropriate to, and take such steps as it reasonably considers necessary to” 108T*
Page 94, line 15, at end insert— “( ) take account of disabled persons’ disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled persons more favourably than other persons” 109A*
Page 94, line 17, after “to” insert “take such steps as it reasonably considers appropriate to, and take such steps as it reasonably considers necessary to achieve” 109B*
Page 94, line 19, after “need” insert “and taking steps” 109C*
Page 94, line 21, at end insert “and taking steps to” 109D*
Page 94, line 30, after second “to” insert “, and taking steps to,” 109E*
Page 94, line 32, at end insert “and taking steps to” Clause 149
LORD OUSELEY 114A* Page 95, line 17, at end insert “and compliance with section 148(1) by a public authority on how it is advancing equality and good relations will be the subject of appropriate assessments by agencies which audit, inspect or regulate public authorities” After Clause 159
BARONESS WILKINS 120A* Insert the following new Clause—
“Control of numbers of licensed taxis; exception
(1) This section applies if—
(a) an application for a licence in respect of a vehicle is made under section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847,
(b) it is possible for a disabled person—
(i) to get into and out of the vehicle in safety,
(ii) to travel in the vehicle in safety and reasonable comfort, and
(iii) to do the things mentioned in sub-paragraphs
(i) and
(ii) while in a wheelchair of a size specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, and
(c) the proportion of taxis licensed in respect of the area to which the licence would (if granted) apply that conform to the requirement in paragraph (b) is less than the proportion that is specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(2) Section 16 of the Transport Act 1985 (which modifies the provisions of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 about hackney carriages to allow a licence to ply for hire to be refused in order to limit the number of licensed carriages) does not apply in relation to the vehicle; and those provisions of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 are to have effect subject to this section.
(3) In section 16 of the Transport Act 1985, after “shall” insert “(subject to section (Control of numbers of licensed taxis: exception) of the Equality Act 2010)”.”
This would have meant almost two-thirds of the 136 license holders in Wigan having to replace their saloons with ‘TX1′ London Black Cab-style vehicles, which have doors and floors which can accept wheelchair users.
Angry cab drivers insisted that, with trade battered by the recession, many would not be able to afford the extra investment.
And they say, in an age of increasing environmental awareness, the heavier cabs that can take a wheelchair would lead to significantly more pollution.
They also insisted that there are already enough suitable cabs working the ranks across the borough to meet current demand.
The council’s Regulation Committee is being recommended to defer the scheme without timescale for further investigation and consultation.
Although they will stipulate in the interim period that any of the current 42 wheelchair-accessible taxis that become worn out must be replaced with similar vehicles.
Their licenses will cost 30% less, to encourage the provision.
Taxi licensing officer Tony Tuffin is now going to consult the other councils across Greater Manchester to achieve consistency in its eventual application.
He said that the subject of accessibility to Hackney Cabs was intricate and needed careful research.
Unite union taxi branch secretary Ronnie Melling, a leading member of the focus group jointly set up between the council, the taxi trade and disabled groups, says that specifying only wheelchair accessible purpose-built cabs for the future was in itself “very discriminatory”.
He is concerned that would remove the right of disabled people to travel in saloon Hackneys if they wanted to.
He also claimed that the council was not taking full account of the timescales and exemptions laid down by the Government over the scheme’s introduction.
Mr Melling said: “Black cabs use twice as much fuel, causing twice as much pollution and using twice the energy.
“How can the trade invest in better quality vehicles at a time of reduced earnings?”
Pensioners’ charity Help The Aged share the Hackney drivers’ concern. A spokesman said he was very concerned at the council’s intention to restrict future taxi provision to purpose-built vehicles only.
He said: “We support choice and flexibility on the provision of transport services.
“Many older people who use taxis prefer saloon cars to Hackney cabs. They say that saloon cars are easier to get into and out of and that they give a more comfortable ride, particularly for those with arthritis and similar conditions.”
But when he returned he found a £75 parking fine on his windscreen.
Phyliss had called her regular driver and asked him to take her into the city centre from her home in Manor.
Bernard could not find a parking space and parked in a loading bay on Surrey Street, behind the Town Hall.
Phyliss, who was recovering from a stroke, asked Bernard to push her to the shops and when he returned he found a parking warden had struck.
She said: “I felt really weak from my stroke and was very down. Bernard would do anything for me, he’s such a kind soul.”
Bernard, who has been a taxi driver for 39 years, said: “I never heard of anything so outrageous. We are told by the council to take care of disabled passengers and make sure that they get to their destination ok. I’ve done this and they reward me with this fine.
“I’ve complied with one part of their policy and got stung by the other.”
The fine was for £35 if paid within 14 days and £75 if paid after.
Phyliss said: “I think it’s disgusting. He will come out anytime of the day or night for me. If I ask him to come and pick up my bags he will always help me. I don’t know what I would do without him.”
The council has now promised to refund Bernard after The Star stepped in.
Sheffield Council head of parking services Kevin Butt said: “After looking at this and taking more of a helicopter view I can see an argument in both directions.
“We have therefore decided in this case to fully refund Mr Lindley.”
A disabled man had to be cut free from the wreckage of a minibus taxi that went out of control and crashed in Froxfield last Friday afternoon.
The female driver lost control in slippery, wet conditions and the Vauxhall Vivaro crashed into a telegraph pole shortly after 1pm.
Though the driver escaped injury, there was concern for the male passenger who sustained a head injury. Initially it was feared he had a fractured skull but paramedics found it was just a deep cut. He was taken by land ambulance to Great Western Hospital in Swindon and was released after treatment. Electricians from Southern Electric made safe the power lines attached to the pole. The road was closed for two hours while the work was done.
New taxi drivers will undergo stricter training after complaints from disabled passengers who claim they are being shunned.
Worthing Borough Council said it was becoming increasingly concerned that people in wheelchairs were deliberately ignored by some cabbies who refused to pick them up.
A report said: “It is apparent that some drivers of wheelchair-accessible vehicles are not even aware of the facilities of their own vehicle.
“There have been many reported instances of such vehicles being driven away from the ranks if it appears that they might be hired by a person in a wheelchair.
“This is becoming an increasing concern.”
From January 1, new drivers will have to pay for and pass two tests – a BTEC transporting passengers, and the Drivers’ Standards Agency Taxi Driver Assessment.
Current licensed drivers will not have to take the exams unless they have had two or more upheld complaints against them.
Gillian Marten, who co-owns A&A cars, said she knew of people who did not like collecting disabled passengers.
She said: “Not in our company, but I have heard of people who don’t feel comfortable picking up disabled people.
We don’t think anything of it because we do it on a regular basis.”
Worthing Taxi Association, which represents the majority of drivers in the town, welcomed the regulations.
Chairman Mick Dawkins said: “Drivers will do training on how to let a disabled person into the vehicle. That is a good idea because lots of people buy the vehicles and don’t have any training on how to get people in.
“We seemed to have solved the problem in Worthing. We have got a number for disability vehicles and we do advise people to pre-book so we know we can get a car.
“Most of the current drivers are very pleased with the regulations. We are trying to improve our trade.”
Graham Fabes, vice-chairman of the licensing and control committee, said: “It is a very good idea.
One or two taxi drivers have, in the past, thought disabled passenger would take longer and so just drove off.
“In a recession, when drivers are not quite as busy, they have more time to be obliging.”
