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Chelmsford Borough Council Has Flatly Declined to Stop Issuing Hackney Plates into a massively overly saturated market. They have shown the owners and drivers of the present fleet nothing but contempt for many years now. With the possibility of dozens or even hundreds of more Taxis filling the streets of Chelmsford, misery or many new and existing owners is now guaranteed. The Hackney Trade will not be fighting in as many ways as possible to get this council to change their ill advised decision. There will be casualties along the way that is also guaranteed.

TODAY’S STRIKE ACTION WILL CONTINUE AND BE REPEATED BY CHELMSFORD TAXI DRIVERS AT COUNCILS REFUSAL TO SURVEY DEMAND
Too many cabs and not enough work has lead to many of Chelmsford’s professional drivers facing repossession as their earnings leave them unable to pay their mortgages

As a result of the Chelmsford Council's decision at a meeting today not to implement an ‘unmet demand survey’, which would be funded by the drivers themselves and would provide the facts on the level of demand for taxis in the area, Chelmsford Taxi drivers walked out on strike.

The GMB Professional Drivers Branch and the Chelmsford Taxi Association met with Chelmsford Council today and were told by Councilor Whitehead that the Council had no intention of restricting the amount of licenses it will issue nor will it do an ‘unmet demand survey’ despite the fact this costing the Council nothing. The local drivers’ representatives pointed out that there are so many cabs and so little work that desperate drivers were working ridiculously long hours (80+) just to keep a roof over their heads.

Too many cabs and not enough work have lead to many of Chelmsford’s professional drivers facing repossession as their earnings leave them unable to pay their mortgages.

Terry Flanagan the secretary of the Professional Drivers branch said “This Council has shown complete contempt for the plight of the drivers and the safety of the public. GMB members drive members of the public about including vulnerable school children. The statement of by Chelmsford Council that any accidents would be the fault of the driver shows the utter contempt in which they hold the traveling public. A series of guerilla actions designed to draw the attention of the electorate to the Council’s determination to destroy the cab service in Chelmsford.”

Terry Michel of the GMB hackney section said, “For far too long Chelmsford Council has treated our cab industry with contempt. Their management of the industry includes a vehicle test where the brakes of the vehicle are not checked with the appropriate equipment. We are determined to save the industry and ensure its safety, something this Council care not about.”

Ends

Contact: Terry Michel local GMB Professional Driver members on 07782 190 844 or Terry Flanagan, GMB Professional Driver Branch Secretary on 07958 275339 or GMB Press Office: Rose Conroy 07974 252183.

Notes to Editors:
1 GMB has thousands members who work as professional drivers in all parts of the transport industry; private hire, chauffeurs, couriers (bikes and vans) and taxi drivers all over the UK are members of GMB.
2 GMB won the right for professional drivers to be exempt from the London Congestion Charge, The right to drop off and pick up on Red Route and is heading a campaign for safety shield and CCTV in cabs, paid for by the proprietors to stop the many attacks and robberies on drivers.

Thought our Branch president might have commented on this one, never mind allow me to congratulate our Chelmsford members on their determination NOT TO GROVELL and to fight for justice in their area.

T. P. Flanagan Branch Sec GMB Professional Drivers Branch London Region

look forward to seeing you all soon at our branch meeting in Chelmsford!