Millom school taxi licence revoked
Last updated at 16:41, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
A MILLOM school taxi operator has had its licence revoked after complaints from parents about the safety of its mini-buses.
Pete’s Taxis has been operating the contract between Millom and Sandside Lodge School, in Ulverston, for the past few years but following a public inquiry on December 20 Cumbria County Council, which provides the contracts, decided to revoke the firm’s licence after hearing the parents’ worries, preventing it from using vehicles with nine seats or more to operate the contract.
At present the company is servicing the route with two smaller vehicles following the ban on its 16-seater minibuses.
A group of parents, who did not wish to be named, contacted the Evening Mail after they felt their complaints about the firm’s vehicle maintenance and communication went unanswered by Cumbria County Council.
A spokeswoman for the group said: “One of the parents used to drive the bus that took the kids to Sandside Lodge.
“But he refused to carry on because the vehicles were that unsafe. As parents, we just want our children to be taken to school and back in safety.”
However, Tina Swithenbank, who runs the firm with partner Pete Dickinson, said: “We have received an email from the
council and we will be responding to it.
“Some of the issues raised we were unaware of. We’d not been told by parents – they went straight to children’s transport so until now we had been unable to resolve any of the concerns.
“The route will be continued. All the issues will be worked through and changes will be made if possible.”
A Cumbria County Council spokeswoman said: “The outcome of a public inquiry held on December 20 was to revoke with immediate effect the operator’s licence held by Pete’s Taxis.
“This prevents the firm from operating any vehicle with nine or more passenger seats.
“Although Pete’s Taxis can still operate the route with two smaller vehicles, the decision was taken to suspend the route while investigations into the issues raised are carried out.
“The suspension is currently in force until February 8.
“Pete’s Taxis also operate a number of vehicles that are licensed by Copeland Borough Council and these vehicles are not affected by the decision of the public inquiry.
“We are currently awaiting a formal written response from Pete’s Taxi’s about the issues raised. Following this response the county council will make a decision about the future of the company’s contracts and we will first and foremost inform affected parents of our decision.”
First published at 10:18, Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
More Millom news
- Millom festival of kites is a soaring success
- Millom service helps people to develop skills
- Broadcast is music to Millom children’s ears
- Millom beauty salon boss saves life of client
- Boss hopes to secure cash for Millom training centre
- Prime Minister gets taste of Millom in event celebrating county
- Millom rugby league club big source of pride
- Manager looks back at Millom pub’s debut year
- Millom Carnival bosses in appeal for groups
- Scarecrows to tell of Millom history
- Millom area boasts wide variety of activities to enjoy
- Silecroft pub hit by arson rises from the ashes
- Pair excited by South Copeland potential
- Millom gallery owner keen to promote cultural scene
- More than 1,200 people show their support for campaign to return Millom doctor service
- Fears eased as Millom Cemetery extension site is earmarked
- Adventurous Millom pupils hear call of wild
- Hunt for Millom men after car torched in street
- Millom bike track axe ‘leaves young with nothing’ (11 comments)
- Pledge to Millom customers after credit union goes to wall
- Millom charity song is aired on station
- Millom on-call doctor bid gathers momentum
- Millom Police Community Support Officer found guilty of assault (1 comment)
- Youngsters hopeful for Millom skate park deal (1 comment)
- Millom churches hold family fun day for community
Evening Mail homepage
ENERGY FOR LIFE 5.1k WALNEY FAMILY FUN RUN
Did you enjoy the Energy For Life 5.1k Walney Family Fun Run?
• Click here to pledge to take part in next year's event on September 2, 2012
Handy links
Vote
Quick links
- Taking a picture break at the tannery
- Millom woman committed suicide three years after her partner
- Millom rugby league club big source of pride
- Tornado in Millom
- No title
- WHAT's ON IN MILLOM & DISTRICT
- Haverigg man's call to support lifesaving charity (2 comments)
- Tributes pour in for dad killed in motorbike crash
- Tornado hits Millom (20 comments)
- MILLOM PENSIONER'S CLUB
- Millom bike track axe ‘leaves young with nothing’ (11 comments)
- Millom Police Community Support Officer found guilty of assault (1 comment)
- Hunt for Millom men after car torched in street
- Pledge to Millom customers after credit union goes to wall
- Fears over Haverigg prison's future (7 comments)
- MILLOM & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION
- SOUTH CUMBRIA SEA SPORTS ASSOCIATION LTD
- Adventurous Millom pupils hear call of wild
- Youngsters hopeful for Millom skate park deal (1 comment)
- Woman shops brother in Millom child porn case (1 comment)
 | ||||||||||||
|
 | ||||||
|
Have your say
Be the first to comment on this article!
Make your comment