Random safety checks on 11 of the Chichester district’s licensed hackney cabs resulted in four of them being taken off the road.
The action was part of a joint initiative called Operation Cabbie involving the district council, Sussex Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
They have joined forces to clamp down on taxis which are not roadworthy, or do not meet the conditions of their licence.
Cllr Heather Caird, council portfolio holder for health, said the operation was about keeping the public safe, and making sure all licensed vehicles were maintained to a high standard.
“Each agency has different legal powers, ranging from instantly removing the car from service, to withdrawal of a driver’s taxi licence, or even court prosecution. By combining our enforcement powers we have been able to take action,” she added.
Out of 11 cabs inspected by the council’s workshop and licensing team and VOSA, four were found to have problems including tyre and steering defects; loose trim; a cracked wing mirror, and a front passenger door that could not be opened.
A report released by the council said the first vehicle inspected had a tyre defect and VOSA issued a prohibition notice preventing the vehicle’s use on the public highway. The driver changed the wheel straight away and the notice was lifted.
The inspectors issued a second prohibition notice on a vehicle fitted with a chrome strip along the sill which had become loose. While this was cosmetic rather than structural, the trim was loose and a passenger might have caught their leg on it, causing an injury.
The driver of a third cab was issued with a ‘delayed’ prohibition notice due to excessive play in the steering box. In addition, the nearside wing mirror was cracked and the front passenger door could not be opened.
The council’s officer also issued an improvement notice, requesting the owner have the vehicle repaired and re-inspected at the council’s MOT centre.
Another hackney cab was issued with a prohibition notice for two front tyre defects and excessive steering box play.
VOSA vehicle examiner, Nick Waterbridge, said: “The faults we found confirmed random checks like Op Cabbie are needed.”
Cllr Caird commented: “All taxis in the district undergo rigorous testing once a year, and it’s reassuring to find that the majority of them are safe and well maintained.
“However, we will remain vigilant against those drivers who fail to maintain their vehicles to a safe standard.”