In the latest figures released by the Mayor of London, the North Circular road and the Dartford Crossing, followed by the A13 Commercial Road are among worst roads in London for exhaust emissions. The figures also revealed that Oxford Street was one of the worst roads in London for traffic pollution. Brompton Road also fared badly in the emissions figures, with both appearing in the top 15 worst locations in the capital for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter PM2.5 in 2012.
Campaigners have called for urgent action to tackle traffic pollution as a result of the emissions figures, but a spokeswoman for the Mayor said “strenuous efforts” were being made to improve air quality in the capital. The figures were disclosed after a freedom of information request by campaign group Clean Air in London. They reveal the emissions of 12 regulated pollutants from each category of road transport, in tonnes and tonnes per kilometre, in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London, who requested the data, said he “applauds” the Mayor for releasing the 1.5 million pieces of data but would take “months” to analyse it fully. He said: “In environmental terms, this is like discovering the Rosetta Stone. All of a sudden Londoners can decode air pollution on their doorstep – in a nutshell, it’s the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘when’ of air pollution in London. Clean Air in London applauds the Mayor for releasing this information.”
DIESEL VEHICLE BAN
Mr Birkett called for a ban of all diesel vehicles from the most polluted parts of London by 2020, as he said these were responsible for up to 30 times more nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 exhaust emissions than petrol vehicles. He said: “Ultimately, the only answer is for London to eliminate completely deadly diesel exhaust from the most polluted parts of London by 2020. By doing so, London can lead the way in Europe and elsewhere in innovation and creating a successful, truly balanced economy.”
Taxicabnews
Private hire driver ordered to pay £2000 court costs
/in General NewsA private hire driver who illegally picked up a passenger in Reading town center has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after appearing in court. The Court heard how Mohammed Arif had been caught during an undercover operation by Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police officers acting as customers.
He denied plying for hire, but was found guilty after a trial at Newbury Magistrates Court. He was fined £110 and ordered to pay £2,016.60 in court costs. Councillor Paul Gittings, Reading’s lead member for environment, said: “Most people who flag down a private hire vehicle in the street do not understand it is illegal and they are uninsured for the journey.”
News supplied by Taxi Cab News
Are you a tech savvy Cabbie?
/in Taxi NewsA recent survey has shown that taxi drivers across the UK are now relying on technology more than ever before. The most popular use of technology has found to be the new text back service with almost half of taxi drivers polled admitting to recently adopting this service, which allows the taxi driver, or taxi company to text the customer the make, model and registration of the taxi that will be picking them up.
More and more taxi drivers are also using Smartphone apps to help with their journeys. Just under 31% of drivers now use an app, which allows them to accept card payments, provides info on ranks and traffic. It also allows drivers to manage fares and earnings, dead-miles and targets of personal earnings. The survey also revealed that taxi drivers are increasingly using built in map apps as an alternative to the traditional sat nav or paper map. According to the survey over a quarter of drivers have got rid of their sat nav and opted for a sat nav app on their Smartphone.
Taxi Cab News
More TX4 Taxis taken off the road
/in Taxi NewsThe London Taxi Company (LTC) has identified an additional 16 vehicles that are affected by the steering box failure recall. LTC say that the vehicles have been identified as part of an ongoing checking process to ensure that all affected vehicles are removed from service and the road. There is no wholesale recall of vehicles; only a limited number of vehicles identified by specific VINs. Drivers and owners of this latest batch of vehicles have been contacted and informed that they have to take their vehicle off the road.
Supplied by Taxi Cab News
Liverpool drivers freeze Taxi fares
/in Taxi NewsTaxiares are to be frozen in Liverpool after Liverpool drivers decided they would not apply to the council for an increase in fares. Terry Stockton, the taxi trade representative, said: “With Christmas coming, a lot of our customers are going to be feeling the pinch this year and we did not think it was right that we should be asking for a fare rise. “Like every other business we have faced increased costs but we have decided not to pass them on to our customers – we know this would cause real difficulties for those who rely on Hackney cabs. It’s our early present to those people who support the taxi trade.”
The Mayor of Liverpool has welcomed the freeze. He said: “The drivers are to be congratulated on not trying to increase the burden on people in these difficult economic times. “Despite being under financial pressures themselves they have clearly recognised that a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet and this gesture will be appreciated.”
Supplied by Taxi Cab News
Heathrow landmark disappears
/in Taxi NewsAs part of Heathrow’s transformation and to make way for roads which will serve the new Terminal 2, one of the last iconic remnants of ‘OLD’ Heathrow, the Control Tower has been demolished. With its distinctive red brick construction, glazed Air Traffic Control Room and White Radar Dome, the distinctive nine-floor silhouette of the Control Tower has gazed out over an ever-evolving airport since 1955.
It was constructed in the same era as the now-demolished Queens Building and Europa Building (the former Terminal 2 building) and replaced the RAF Control Tower, shortly after the first modern runway and terminal building were opened by The Queen. Up to that point, the early passenger terminals were ex-military marquees that formed a tented village along Bath Road. The Old Control Tower was designed by architect Sir Frederick Gibberd, who was also responsible for the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Didcot Power Station. It closed last year after almost 60 years’ service. Whilst Air Traffic Control transferred to the new control tower in 2007, the building continued to be a home to offices until its final closure.
Charity Christmas lunch held at Millwall FC
/in Taxi NewsThe London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled held a Lunch at The Millwall Football Club to thank all the sponsors who have assisted the charity over the past year. At around 12 noon guests began arriving at the venue, some of them from London Bridge Station on the Millwall Club Bus.
It was an extremely cold day, but the veterans soon warmed up on the bus thanks to a large bottle of brandy being served to them! Other guests were transported from Waterloo Station by taxi. The dining venue at Millwall FC looked wonderful, with Christmas decorations shining almost as brightly as war veteran’s medals. Each guest received a Christmas stocking with gifts inside and the tables had wine and ‘Black Cab Stout’ to drink. With everybody seated Mr George Parsons said Grace and the three course meals were then served.
Entertainment was provided by Mr Pete Osborne. After lunch came some speeches. The Chairman of The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled thanked Millwall Football Club, The Sponsors and Supporters, and all the collectors and charity helpers. It was then time to make a presentation to Mr. Gerry Cooper who having been with the charity for the past 37 years has now decided to retire. The Chairman, Richard Hudd, along with The President, Mr. Harry Joel, presented Gerry with a gift from the committee. Harry went on to explain how the charity was formed by him and five other cab drivers in 1948 to help injured veterans and they started the outings and how he got Gerry to join the charity.
He continued by saying that the charity is now dealing with the young men who are being injured in Afghanistan and other conflicts. (Harry is now the last remaining member of the group who is still involved in the charity). It was then time for Kas to entertain with everybody joining in the singing, the raffle was drawn with a number of people winning some very nice prizes, so concluded a successful afternoon for the charity and guests. The President Chairman Officers and Committee of The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled would like to thank everybody who assisted the charity in the past year and look forward to your continued support in the coming years. For more information please visit the charity’s website at www.taxicharity.org
Courtesy of Taxicabnews
Nitrogen Dioxide analyser installed at Oxford Street
/in Taxi NewsWestminster City Council has added an instrument to measure nitrogen dioxide at their air measurement site on Oxford Street. The site has been measuring PM10 since June 2010, and the output from the new addition will be of considerable interest on Europe’s busiest shopping street.
The new data will also enable PM source apportionment on Oxford Street for the first time. Nitrogen dioxide emissions continue to cause problems for the Government in meeting European Air Quality Objectives. In December 2012, the London Assembly highlighted high percentage of deaths attributed to air pollution in London boroughs. The Health and Environment Committee’s paper showed that up to 9% of deaths in the capital’s most polluted areas are attributable to air pollution.
The percentage of deaths attributable to man-made airborne particles was highest in the City of London (9%), Westminster (8.3%), Kensington and Chelsea (8.3%) and Tower Hamlets (8.1%). Bromley and Havering (both 6.3%) had the lowest proportion in London, though are still above the England average of 5.6%. A large number of diesel powered buses and taxis operate on Oxford Street, emitting a relatively high proportion of primary nitrogen dioxide compared to petrol vehicles, increasing concerns about poor air quality in addition to the already high volume of traffic. The Greater London Authority reported in 2010 that 100,000 pedestrians pass by the busiest part of Oxford Street every day.
Courtesy of Taxicabnews
Minicab countereiter jailed
/in Taxi NewsThree counterfeiters who had planned on flooding the country with millions of fake one pound coins were jailed at Southwark Crown Court. Kevin Fisher of Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire and Daniel Sullivan, a minicab driver of Hornchurch, were convicted following a 10 day trial. Kevin Fisher, described as the main instigator, was sentenced to 5 years for possession of counterfeit currency and 7 years for possession of items to make counterfeit currency to run concurrently.
Minicab driver Daniel Sullivan was sentenced to three years imprisonment. Their co-conspirator Mark Abbott of Edmonton pleaded guilty at an earlier trial and was sentenced to two years. The prolific fraudsters were responsible for producing what is believed to have been a record number of counterfeit coins seized in the UK. The fake coins were discovered following a covert policing operation at addresses in Enfield, Hertfordshire and Essex. A 40ft storage container found in Waltham Abbey, Essex contained in excess of one million six hundred thousand metal discs, together with £20,000 worth of fake coins. A car at the same location was found to contain £30,000 worth of fake coins. Officers believe this was the tip of the iceberg for the well organised operation. The fakes were of such high quality, they could easily be passed off as genuine coins. It is believed that some of the fake currency may well already be in circulation.
Taxicabnews
Bikes form 25 percent of rush-hour traffic
/in Taxi NewsData released by TfL shows that there are more bikes on the road than ever. A survey was conducted by manual counts at 164 locations in central London over a two-week period during April 2013. Bikes and all motor vehicles were counted between 6am & 8pm on weekdays. In the morning peak up to 64 per cent of vehicles on some main roads in town are now bicycles. Cycles make up almost half of all northbound traffic crossing Waterloo, Blackfriars and London Bridge, and 62 per cent of all northbound traffic crossing Southwark Bridge in the morning peak are cyclists.
They are the largest single type of vehicle on each of these bridges, outnumbering cars in each case. Across the whole day between 6am & 8pm 9245 bicycles crossed London Bridge, the highest-volume all-day route counted, averaging 660 bicycles an hour or 11 a minute. On the highest-volume morning peak route, Elephant & Castle roundabout, 2710 bikes passed in just the northbound direction, an average of 903 an hour or 15 a minute in just this one direction.
The figure excludes bikes using the Cycle Superhighway bike bypass around Elephant & Castle, so the total number of bikes through this area is even greater. In total, the TfL survey found 24 per cent of all vehicles at sites counted in central London during the morning rush hour are bicycles and make up 16 per cent of traffic across the entire day. At the top ten main roads for cycle traffic bikes represent 42 per cent of the traffic in the morning peak but take up as little as 12 per cent of the road space. This is based on the assumption that a bike takes up a fifth of the space of a car and a tenth of the space of a bus.
Worst polluted roads in London named
/in Taxi NewsIn the latest figures released by the Mayor of London, the North Circular road and the Dartford Crossing, followed by the A13 Commercial Road are among worst roads in London for exhaust emissions. The figures also revealed that Oxford Street was one of the worst roads in London for traffic pollution. Brompton Road also fared badly in the emissions figures, with both appearing in the top 15 worst locations in the capital for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter PM2.5 in 2012.
Campaigners have called for urgent action to tackle traffic pollution as a result of the emissions figures, but a spokeswoman for the Mayor said “strenuous efforts” were being made to improve air quality in the capital. The figures were disclosed after a freedom of information request by campaign group Clean Air in London. They reveal the emissions of 12 regulated pollutants from each category of road transport, in tonnes and tonnes per kilometre, in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Simon Birkett of Clean Air in London, who requested the data, said he “applauds” the Mayor for releasing the 1.5 million pieces of data but would take “months” to analyse it fully. He said: “In environmental terms, this is like discovering the Rosetta Stone. All of a sudden Londoners can decode air pollution on their doorstep – in a nutshell, it’s the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘when’ of air pollution in London. Clean Air in London applauds the Mayor for releasing this information.”
DIESEL VEHICLE BAN
Mr Birkett called for a ban of all diesel vehicles from the most polluted parts of London by 2020, as he said these were responsible for up to 30 times more nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 exhaust emissions than petrol vehicles. He said: “Ultimately, the only answer is for London to eliminate completely deadly diesel exhaust from the most polluted parts of London by 2020. By doing so, London can lead the way in Europe and elsewhere in innovation and creating a successful, truly balanced economy.”
Taxicabnews