LTDA

The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA LETTERS: p17 #459 14 January 2020 HERO’S LAST WORDS FOR TAXI DRIVERS NEW YEAR ‘Palace attacker’ Pervert p7 faces new driver terror charges p2 avoids jail

Appeal set to p12 expose more

LTDA

The newspaper of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Uber dirt Association www.ltda.co.uk @TheLTDA #453 CHARITY: 1 October 2019 p5 PRINCE CHARLES PRAISES CAB TRADE

p3 OLD UBER’S LICENCE HANGS BY A THREAD

App firm gets just eight weeks to improve passenger UBER safety 2 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA Alleged Palace Attacker ‘Plotted New Horror’

COURT released in late December 2018 showed quite the opposite.” An Uber driver cleared of launching The pair were arrested after a sword attack on police outside police stopped their vehicle in Buckingham Palace later planned to Luton on July 3 last year, as part of attack a major tourist attraction in an investigation by Scotland Yard’s central London, a jury has heard. counter-terrorism command. Mohiussunnath Chowdhury, from It is alleged that between January Luton, was “motivated by dreams of 12 and July 3, 2019, Mohiussunnath martyrdom for the cause of Islam, booked a firearms training course, and inspired by preachers of hate”, requested and selected a firearm and Woolwich Crown Court was told. researched potential attack targets Duncan Atkinson QC, prosecuting, and asked another person to do the said Chowdhury was “keen to take the wool over the eyes of the jury. Chowdhury told undercover officers same. part in an attack on a high profile The court heard that, in August that he had indeed been trying to Chowdhury was an Uber driver and very public target in the UK”. 2017, the defendant had driven a carry out a terrorist attack in 2017 when he set out on the original He added: “The targets mentioned car through police bollards outside and that he had “deceived” the incident in his Toyota Prius. included Madame Tussauds, the Buckingham Palace and came to a earlier jury. It was alleged that was originally Gay Pride parade and an attack halt in front of a police van. Chowdhury faces new charges heading to the Windsor Castle in on tourists on a London open-top Chowdhury was then involved of preparing acts of terror and is Slough but got lost when his satnav tour bus. in a violent scuffle with two police on trial alongside his sister Sneha took him instead from his home in “The object was to unleash officers as they wrestled for control Chowdhury, 25, who is accused Luton to the Windsor Castle pub. death and suffering on non- of a samurai sword the accused had of failing to disclose information He then changed destinations and Muslim members of the public who inside his car. relating to her brother’s alleged plot. headed to the Palace instead. happened to be present, using a The prosecutor said that the His sister had “better reason that A note, addressed to Mr firearm, sword and even a van as defendant had repeatedly shouted anyone to understand what her Chowdhury’s sister, was found in part of an attack.” “Allahu akbar” during the struggle. brother was thinking and wanting to the car and allegedly said: “Tell The 28-year-old, from Luton, was A jury at his Old Bailey trial in achieve”, Mr Atkinson said. everyone I love them and that they acquitted of a terror charge by an 2019 believed Chowdhury’s claim “Whilst she may have hoped should struggle against the enemies Old Bailey jury after attacking police that he had wanted to commit that it was all over when he was of Allah. The queen and her soldiers officers with a sword outside the “suicide by cop” and was planning released from prison - and that his will all be in the hellfire. Queen’s London residence in 2017. a terror attack. They found him not acquittal meant he had not meant “They go to war with Muslims The court heard that after being guilty and he was released. those things, his actions and his around the world and kill them acquitted he boasted about pulling But the Crown claims that conversations with her after he was without any mercy.”

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With the new Government now bedded in, it’s time for ministers to protect the future of the taxi trade NEW YEAR, FRESH

STEVE MCNAMARA CHALLENGES AHEAD TOP TRADE STORY

’d like to start by wishing a happy new year to all LTDA members and our other I regular readers, and to wish you all a safe and successful year ahead. As well as a new year, we welcome a new parliament following December’s General Election. I was particularly pleased to see so many members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxis returned to the House of Commons, with commiserations to those defeated including Tom Brake and Frank Field. Their support for the trade has always been greatly appreciated and they will be much missed. 2020 will be a vital year for ensuring we get the legislation we need from this May that will be just as important for taxi parliament in order to protect the long-term drivers in London. The next London mayoral My Friend Martin Cordell future of the trade. election will take place in May, with Labour’s It was incredibly disappointing to see no Sadiq Khan hoping to retain the mayoralty I first met Martin shortly after mention of taxis at all, never mind legislation, against challenges from the Conservatives’ getting my badge in the mid- in the post-election Queen’s Speech in Shaun Bailey, the Liberal Democrats’ 80s. Every cabbie I knew had December. It has now been almost a year Siobhan Benita, the Greens’ Sian Berry and recommended him as “the” since the Government promised to bring this independent Rory Stewart. It is vital that you trade accountant, and I duly forward, yet despite words and promises we make clear to all the candidates the issues made my way to Alfred Street are still kept waiting. While Parliament last that matter to you. Whoever the next mayor in Bow. My first impression year was dominated by politicians arguing over will be will have a wide array of powers on of him was that he was larger Brexit, the Government will have no excuse licensing, infrastructure and investment, and than life, and he had the not to bring forward our legislation once the we will be keeping the future of the taxi trade biggest desk I had ever seen. UK leaves the EU at the end of at the forefront of their thinking. He was gregarious, funny and this month. As we have seen, the mayor can take charming and I liked him It is only a matter of time before the decisive action to put unscrupulous firms such instantly. I spent most of my Government’s inaction on bringing taxi and as Uber in their place, which Sadiq Khan did first appointment listening, for PHV legislation into the 21st century leaves for the second time in November. We wait the first time, to his catalogue it responsible for another huge scandal. to see the outcome of their appeal, but in the of cab trade stories, jokes and anecdotes about everything. The longer it waits to take action on cross meantime we’ve continued to see in recent Over the next 35 years I got to know him, not just as my border hiring, national minimum standards weeks what kind of a firm they really are. accountant but as a friend and increasingly as a colleague as I and plying for hire, the more the safety of From unfit drivers to ridiculous surge pricing, got more involved with cab trade politics and affairs. He was the public is put at risk. I have been telling they’ve shown exactly what they’re made of. If a very generous man and donated to virtually every cab trade successive transport ministers time and again the courts have the best interests of the public charity, outing and event and he was always the first to offer of the need to act now, and Grant Shapps at heart, they’ll keep them out help with anything. He was one of the trade’s giants and he knows what needs to be done. It is time now of London for good. u will be sorely missed by his family and friends and everyone for their promises to be put into action. who knew him. Like, so many cabbies I am proud to say Martin While the Government sets out its stall for Steve McNamara is the Cordell was my mate! (See Obituary p23). its next five years, we will see another election LTDA’s General Secretary

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FUEL Uber Works

Hybrid electric vehicle registrations to Dodge soared last year while diesel sales New law continued to plummet. Combined alternatively fuelled Uber has changed some of the vehicle (AFV) registrations surged features on its ride-hailing app in in 2019 to take a record 7.4% market California in response to a new state share. Hybrid electric vehicles law designed to stop firms passing off (HEVs) continued to dominate, with employees as gig economy workers. registrations increasing 17.1% to The revamp brings an end to flat 97,850 units. surge pricing for drivers and the Battery electric vehicle (BEV) ability to quickly see how much they registrations experienced the biggest will make on each ride. percentage growth, rising 144% to diesel rhetoric cited as reasons. economic uncertainty, and confusing Drivers will no longer be punished 37,850 units and overtaking plug-in SMMT says drivers are keeping messages on clean air zones have taken for rejecting trips they don’t want hybrids for the first time. their older, more polluting vehicles their toll on buyer confidence, with to make. The steep decline in diesel new car on the road for longer, while they demand for new cars at a six-year low. Changes for passengers include a sales continued, with 21.8% fewer sold await more information. “A stalling market will hinder shift from showing upfront pricing on following a fall of almost 30% in 2018. Overall, the UK new car market industry’s ability to meet stringent trips to showing an estimated price

Last year, 583,488 diesel cars were declined in 2019, with annual new CO2 targets and, importantly, range, the ability to schedule rides sold – almost half the number that registrations falling for the third undermine wider environmental goals. with favoured drivers and adjustments were sold in 2017 – leaving the fuel consecutive year – 2,311,140 units were We urgently need more supportive to a rewards program. type with a market share of 25.2%, registered last year. That represented policies: investment in infrastructure; The company announced many of compared to 31.5% in 2018. a 2.4% decline, with the SMMT broader measures to encourage the changes last month and service There was modest growth in blaming weak business and consumer uptake of the latest, low and zero users were informed in an email demand for petrol cars, up 2.2%, confidence, general political and emission cars; and long-term purchase explaining the changes were “due according to new figures from the economic instability and confusion incentives to put the UK at the to a new state law.” Society of Motor Manufacturers and over clean air zones (CAZs). forefront of this technological shift. Assembly Bill 5 came into Traders (SMMT). Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Industry is playing its part with a raft effect and makes it all labourers in December marked the 33rd Executive, said: “A third year of of exciting new models in 2020 and California “employees” with rights month of diesel decline, with fears decline for the UK new car market compelling offers but consumers will and stability instead of independent around the growth of clean air is a significant concern for industry only respond if economic confidence is contractors. Uber initially said it zones and the increasing anti- and the wider economy. Political and strong and the technology affordable.” would not comply. LTDA LOTTERY

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The London cab trade is turning electric faster than in any other place across the world THE CLEANEST FLEET THE CAB YOU DRIVE ON THE PLANET! WORD ON THE STREET 250 TXe sales shuttle and ride sharing services in major cities. Thanks to its combination of greater space, agile 200 manoeuvrability and far better wheelchair access, e ended 2019 with the highest level of new 150 not to mention its iconic status, LEVC expects cab sales ever. Month on month and on the TXe taxi and shuttle to be bought by operators who 100 W year, records were smashed and then smashed would otherwise use large premium saloons and again. Just over 2,000 TXEs joined the ranks in 2019 50 minivans. and that’s taking into account the fact that for the first 0 quarter there were supply problems; without these they MAMF J J DNOSA J MAMF J J NOSA Number Crunching could have sold more. high demand, and thus high prices, for late model Euro On average 9,000 London taxis work in the city centre So, what is likely to happen with new sales and second- VI diesels can’t continue, equally the prices being asked, each month, according to TfL data. hand prices in 2020? I would not be at all surprised if and often achieved, for old cabs with two or three plate’s Transport for London (TfL) monitors the number total new cab sales hit the 3,000 mark, if LEVC can left might hold up in the short term but this could change of taxis seen in the Congestion Charge zone during maintain its current monthly rate of shifting around 200 very quickly. Incidentally, anyone looking at buying an operational hours by matching daily Congestion Charge cabs each month. This will be the first full year of trading older cab should be careful of getting caught out on the camera captures against the live database of licensed for Nissan Dynamo and its CEO Brendan O’Toole date the cab comes off the road, the reducing age limit is taxis on each day of travel. hopes to achieve annual sales of 500 in 2020, stepping based on the date of 1st registration in the DVLA V5 and February 2019 saw the number of drivers working in up to 1,000 in the following year. This would bring the not on when the plate expires, make sure you check it out the city centre peak to 12,566 during the daytime hours. number of ZEC taxis on the streets to well over 6,000 before you buy! Just 8,403 worked the centre during the summer by this time next year, which would mean that 2021 school holiday period of August 2019. There are 22,625 could start with a third of the London taxi fleet being not Turning Japanese taxi drivers licensed in London; 19,896 hold the All only electric but under three years of age. The cleanest, The TXe could become a familiar sight in Japan, London (green badge) licence; 2,729 hold suburban greenest and newest taxi fleet on the planet! after the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) (yellow badge) licences. There are currently 19,287 black But, and there’s always a but, this level of new vehicle launched its electric cab at an exclusive event in taxi vehicles available to cabbies of which 3,055 are sales must, and will, result in a flooding of the second- Tokyo. Japan’s taxi industry has 240,000 vehicles zero emission capable taxis. The data was requested by hand market, and even with the reduced age limits which in operation with 50,000 based in Tokyo as well Florence Eshalomi, Labour’s London Assembly Member, start to bite later this year, prices must fall. The current as a growing number of on-demand passenger and provided by the London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan.

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COURT

An Uber driver who exposed himself to a passenger and drove her around for two hours has avoided prison. Nadeem Afzal [pictured, right], 51, picked up the woman after she hired him through the Uber app following a night out in north Yet another London on Halloween. But about 20 minutes into the delay for journey, he exposed himself to the Crossrail victim and asked her several times to touch him and perform a sex act. Crossrail is once again being delayed The woman refused and made an and will now not open until the audio recording of the conversation autumn of 2021. while continuing to reject his advances. The project was originally supposed After almost two hours, the to be finished in December 2018 but victim was dropped off at a fast-food sex offenders’ register for 10 years. policing and community safety has suffered several setbacks. restaurant near her home in south Sergeant Jonny Harris, from the at Transport for London, added: Last year, the opening of the line London. The journey should have Metropolitan Police’s roads and “Nobody should ever be subjected to was pushed back until the spring of taken just 40 minutes. transport command, said: “Afzal this kind of revolting and predatory 2021, with the delays adding more Afzal, of Chigwell, Essex, was preyed on this female passenger in his behaviour and we are pleased to hear than one billion to the cost. quickly identified and charged with minicab and was extremely persistent that Afzal has been brought to justice The cost of the project could reach one count of exposure. He appeared in his sexual advances and behaviour, for his actions. £18.25bn, more than £2bn more than at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court a leaving the passenger feeling scared “We applaud the bravery of the the original budget. month later and in November pleaded and vulnerable. victim for coming forward. The cost was originally set at guilty to the charge. “The victim showed courage “We expect the highest standards £15.9bn for the scheme, which will Afzal was sentenced to 12 months’ coming forward to police and from TfL-licensed taxi and private hire connect major landmarks such as in prison, suspended for two years, at reporting Afzal, who is now a drivers, which is why Afzal is no longer Heathrow Airport and the Canary Kingston Crown Court on Thursday. registered sex offender and can no a licensed driver. We take every report Wharf business district and stretch He also received a 10-year sexual longer work as a cab driver.” seriously so it can be investigated by from Reading to Essex. harm prevention order and put on the Mandy McGregor, head of transport the police.”s 8 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

2020 is shaping up to be the year of the electric cab, but what does it mean for charging? CHARGING INTO ANTHONY STREET THE NEW YEAR STREETS AHEAD As EV uptake increases in 2020, we will begin to “If you on Octopus GO which gives you four hours in the see these chargers increasingly at shopping centre night with a price of 5p/kwh) it will cost around car parks across the nation. charge £1.60 to fully charge an LEVC taxi. (31kwh x 5p/ s you may have seen elsewhere in this Bizarrely, extreme wind over the weekend your LEVC kwh = £1.55). So, around 2p per mile is the cost edition of TAXI the relentless march around December 14 meant that individuals were (£1.60/81 miles = 2p). If you work five days per A of hybrid and fully electric vehicles is paid to charge their electric vehicles in order to taxi with a week the charging would cost you £8. For 47 weeks continuing, while diesel is plummeting. relieve pressure on the electric grid. standard of working five days per week the charging would More than a quarter of the trade is expected to The weather conditions meant that the UK’s cost you £376. be driving cabs that require some form of charging wind farms generated a record 16GW, this was 45% tari¡, If you charge your LEVC taxi with a standard within the next year or so. of the UK’s total electricity supply. where you tariff, where you pay on average 15p/kwh, you This will put pressure on the charging facilities At times, this was more electricity supply than would pay around £4.70 to fully charge an LEVC that exist and it’s clear that councils and regulators the grid needed. Drivers who have an Ohme pay on taxi (31kwh x 15p/kwh = £4.65). That is a cost need to up their game in order to keep pace and charger and were signed up to the supplier Octopus average per mile of 5.7p. If you work five days per week encourage people to make the switch. Energy’s time-of-use tariff were actually paid to the charging would cost you £23. For 47 weeks of Many councils are promising more charge points charge their vehicles to relieve the electric grid. 15p/ working five days per week the charging would cost and soon high-power charging could hit British The Ohme app alerted customers of the kwh, you you £1,081. highways. Taxi drivers don’t want to be off the opportunity in advance in order to encourage them Other tariffs also have good day/night/time of use road for long, losing earnings, so fast chargers are to charge their vehicles. would pay tariff where average charge price of charging an EV essential. Customers who benefited received 5.6p for every around during the night can be around 5-9p/kwh. Several Higher power 100kW+ DC chargers can add kilowatt-hour of electricity used, which equates to utilities such as EDF Energy, British Gas, OVO, between 64 and 220 miles to the range of an EV 1.8p per mile. £4.70 Scottish Power and Bulb all have time-of-use tariffs in just 10 minutes. I have been speaking to Ohme about it’s home to fully or specific EV tariffs. In 2020, it is expected that we will begin to see charging system and as well as testing the kit, The Ohme wall charger which can be installed an increase in the transformation (and monetisation) I will soon be announcing a giveaway and discounts charge from £349. It qualifies for the OLEV grant. u of parking spaces at retail and leisure outlets, and for LTDA members. Until then, here’s the cost of an LEVC at transport hubs, into EV charging destinations – charging an LEVC with Ohme… Anthony Street is an LTDA including the creation of future fuel hubs. At an average pence per kwh of 5p (if you are taxi...” Executive Support Officer @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 9

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Helping to keep the streets clear and ghting the tide of negativity THE GOOD, THE BAD LLOYD BALDWIN AND THE UGLY ON POINT do is visit the website and put in the street Doom and Gloom name or postcode and hopefully in the near “Drivers Through the Ages future the issue will get attended to. Some of who miss The year is yet young, but the doom and gloom normally hate Twitter. It is a cesspit of bile the more negative among you might say merchants are already out in force, predicting and hatred and looking over the comments “what’s the point?” But it’s worth giving it the sign at death, calamity, and misery, like modern day I leaves me feeling in need of a shower. Its a try. According to the site there were almost the side of followers of Nostradamus. People have been anonymous nature seems to encourage even 350 reports made by members of the public the road predicting the trade’s demise for decades. An right-thinking people to spread lies, gossip and last month and almost 800 fixes were made. old joke that used to do the rounds says that abuse. However, there are some good people get caught archaeologists come across an ancient cab buried doing good things on there and it was pointed Wapping PCN Warning on camera hundreds of years ago and etched on the side of out to me recently that some wise owl was The controversial ‘bus gate’ restriction in the vehicle is the legend “the trade’s dead.” With encouraging people to report road works that Wapping is causing problems for some that dishes that in mind, I stumbled were either dangerous or had not been cleared drivers. Taxis and delivery vans are banned out £130 across the cartoon [see up properly. This works and does often result from going through the gateway in right] in an edition of in swift action and/or a fine for the culprits, as Wapping High Street during the automatic TAXI from 1972. In well as helping to clear the roads and keep traffic prescribed hours. nes...” the nearly 50 years since moving, at least a little bit. Drivers who miss the sign at the side of that was published there I would like to add that I’m highlighting the road get caught on camera that dishes have been many changes, this because it is a good idea, and I am not out automatic £130 fines. The bus gate and plenty of ups and trying to steal it and claim it as my own. between Sampson Street and Knighton downs, but the pride However, this also ties into the fact that Street operates weekdays as early as 5.30am, of London keeps rolling Transport for London has launched a new for five hours, until 10.30am, and again on. May 2020 bring online site called Street Care, where anyone between 4-7pm, with no exemptions other you happiness and can report issues on the roads around London. than buses and cycles. Taxis and motorbikes plenty of work. u Issues could be potholes, broken lamps, which normally use London bus lanes are graffiti as well as the aforementioned the also prohibited. Even the council’s own Lloyd Baldwin is an LTDA problems with roadworks. All you need to contractors, such as Veolia, are banned. Executive Support Officer @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 11

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THINK YOU CAN’T AFFORD ? THINK AGAIN. . .

Drivers tell us about their fuel savings since switching to the electric taxi. More Dirt set to

TX drivers gave us feedback on driving – and living with – the TX, after owning the electric taxi for a year. Not only is it Emerge on Uber? the best vehicle most claim to have ever driven, but drivers are TRADE believe will be the first of its kind in also enjoying exceptional cost savings after their first year, London”. with return on investment way above expectations, making the Uber could face greater scrutiny of its The mayor said it is expected that TX more affordable than they ever imagined. safety failings as more details emerge more details of the issue surrounding about TfL’s reasons for refusing it a new the rejection will be published at an licence during the appeals process. appropriate time during the appeal Here’s just a few of the comments about what drivers are saving ... Mayor Sadiq Khan said it is “likely” process and with the approval of the more details about the rejection will be magistrates’ court. He was responding published. to a question by the Liberal Democrat Uber filed an appeal at Westminster London Assembly Member, Caroline I am actually saving about Magistrates’ Court last month after TfL Pidgeon [pictured, above right], at Mayor’s “£100 a week in fuel costs. rejected its licence renewal over safety Question Time. concerns. She said: “Will you ensure that the The regulator stripped the ride-hailing full details of TfL’s recent ruling on the app of its licence following “several 25 November 2019 relating to Although the cab is more expensive breaches that placed passengers and Uber are published?” “than outgoing models, it’s much their safety at risk.” The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan more economical to run. The company’s systems allowed [pictured, above left], responded by saying: unauthorised drivers to upload their “TfL identified a pattern of failures by photographs to other Uber driver Uber, including several breaches that accounts, resulting in a at least 14,000 placed passengers and their safety at risk. The savings actually pay for the TX! uninsured trips across the city. Due to the public interest, TfL has set out “ Some of these drivers were unlicensed the reasons behind its licensing decision. and one had received a police caution for “Uber has submitted an appeal against distributing indecent images of children, the licensing decision and the Private TfL said. Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 allows I used to spend £4,000-£5,000 a year “ Uber’s regional general manager for the company to continue to operate on fuel and now I’m probably spending northern and eastern Europe, Jamie pending the appeal and throughout the between £1,500 and £2,000. Heywood, said: “We are committed appeals process. to Londoners and are working closely “During the previous appeal process, with TfL to address their concerns and which you refer to above, TfL put a The savings are absolutely requests, as we have since 2017. number of documents into the public “We uncovered this issue, we raised domain. The documents were published “massive for me! this with TfL and put in place an effective at an appropriate time during the appeal fix. We are further strengthening our process and with the approval of the robust systems and processes through a magistrates’ court. It is likely that TfL In addition to fuel savings, drivers have also been impressed new facial matching process which we will take a similar approach in this case.” with the reduced maintenance, service and repair costs, due to longer service intervals of 25,000 miles and a three-year full NEWS IN BRIEF vehicle warranty/five-year unlimited mileage battery warranty, making TX the most economical taxi they have ever owned. Exhausted Bus Drivers Could Strike

Watch the full driver interviews at levc.com/1yeartx or book Overworked London bus drivers are being balloted on whether to strike later this year, a union has said. a test drive and see for yourself – find your local TX dealer at It follows a study which revealed almost one in five drivers had dozed off at levc.com/electric-dealer-network the wheel during a 12-month period. A spokesman for Unite said drivers were suffering “chronic fatigue” and had “had enough”. A survey carried out last year found that 17% of those who responded had ONE YEAR IN fallen asleep while driving the bus at least once in the previous 12 months. Of the 1,353 drivers who took part, 21% said they had to “fight sleepiness” at least two to three times per week, while 36% said they had experienced a “close call” in the past 12 months because of fatigue. Transport for London (TfL) said it was “such a complex and multifaceted issue there [was] no quick single fix”. @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 13

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Mortgage prisoners trapped paying excessively high interest rates

Two hundred thousand people in that lots of people could no longer afford affected borrowers will be able to reclaim the UK are trapped paying rates of to switch lenders. When Mortgage over £30,000 from their lenders. interest of 5% & above as a result Prisoners’ fi xed-rate period ended, they In some cases borrowers also took of ‘inactive’ or ‘zombie’ banks were stuck paying high SVRs, in some out Northern Rock ‘Together Mortgages’ refusing to offer them new deals. cases for as long as 12 years. which offered an additional unsecured Homeowners who happened to In other cases, people’s mortgages loan on top of a mortgage. These My mortgage have mortgages with Northern Rock have been sold on to hedge funds who products punished borrowers who nightmare or Bradford & Bingley when they were have ratcheted up the rates they charge repaid their mortgage by charging, in nationalised in 2009 have become at a time when most other home owners some cases, up to 15% interest on the One of the prospective trapped paying high ‘standard variable are enjoying unprecedentedly low rates. unsecured loan. The group believe a claimants, Juliet, had banked rates’ or ‘SVRs’ of interest, as a result A group of affected Mortgage large amount of this interest can be with Northern Rock for years. She of the nationalisation and subsequent Prisoners has instructed Harcus Parker, reclaimed. In some cases this will also had re-mortgaged with the bank change in policy of these banks. a commercial litigation law fi rm based in amount to over £30,000. several times to avoid paying When they encouraged customers London, to investigate possible claims Damon Parker, Founding Partner of an excessive rate but, in 2008, to sign up with them, these lenders on its behalf. A website has been set Harcus Parker, said: “Many of our clients Juliet was informed that her latest appeared to promise that they would be up where affected people can fi nd out have told us that, before they joined introductory rate had ended and able to transfer onto new deals when more information and join the claim: the group, they thought that they were that her payments would soon their initial fi xed-rate period ended. www.mortgageprisoners.com. alone. Many have felt ashamed about double, when her mortgage But, in the wake of the fi nancial crash The group will say that Northern being in fi nancial hardship and of the switched to the bank’s SVR. When in 2008, Northern Rock and Bradford Rock, Bradford & Bingley and the other impact it has had on their families. We she contacted the bank, as she & Bingley (by then in public ownership) inactive lenders who have bought these believe lenders should be required to act had done three times before, to ceased to offer new mortgages in the mortgages, should be required to treat responsibly and fairly to customers. We move to the latest two-year fi xed market. them fairly, and not to set their interest hope that by bringing these claims we rate, she was told that Northern At the same time, strict new lending rates at a punitively high level. can end the unfair treatment of mortgage Rock was no longer an ‘active criteria were introduced, which meant Harcus Parker estimate that some prisoners.” lender’ and she would have to pay the SVR. Juliet has since been • Do you have, or have you ever had, a mortgage with Northern Rock, forced to switch to an interest-only mortgage, paying an extra £500 Bradford & Bingley, or Mortgage Agency Services 1-7? each month for 11 years. • Are you stuck paying a high rate of interest? • Have you been refused a new deal by your lender? Harcus Parker Limited • Are you unable to re-mortgage elsewhere? 7th Floor, Melbourne House 44-46 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LL www.mortgageprisoners.com Then you could claim thousands of pounds Harcus Parker Limited is authorised & regulated by the SRA (SRA ID: 653501) of compensation as a Mortgage Prisoner by registering now at: www.mortgageprisoners.com People with Northern Rock ‘Together Mortgages’ could make additional claims @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 15

The tragic story of a successful producer and his spiral into madness, murder and suicide THE LIFE AND DEATH ROBERT LORDAN OF POP’S JOE MEEK

CRUEL LONDON

espite the fact their work is key in providing groups and D individual pop stars with their own particular sound, the job of music producer is often overlooked by fans. In 1967 however, one such producer would gain infamy for a very tragic reason. Joe Meek was born in the Forest of Dean in 1929. From an early age he was fascinated by electronics and could often be found scavenging for various components which he’d use to cobble together circuit boards and radios. While doing National Service his knowledge developed further thanks to his training as a radar mechanic. In 1954 Joe moved to London after communications satellite, Telstar was however, and Patrick watched as Joe Seconds later there was another shot. Joe securing a job as a sound engineer at the first record by a British group to hit stormed upstairs to have a row with his had turned the gun on himself. Stones, a radio and record shop once based number one in America and was once said long-suffering landlady, Violet Shenton. Today the only hint of 304 Holloway on Edgware Road. He then progressed by Margaret Thatcher to be her favourite Violet’s last words were said to be “calm Road’s past is a small black and white to a similar role at Lansdowne Recording song. down Joe,” before two gunshots rang plaque bearing Joe Meek’s name along Studios in Holland Park where he proved Joe Meek’s skills were highly sought out, killing the 56-year-old woman and with a little illustration of the Telstar quite a maverick, often ignoring his after, and many artists came to work with sending her tumbling down the stairs. satellite. u superiors’ directions in a quest to develop him at Holloway Road. These included new sound techniques. During this period, Petula Clark, Billy Fury, Tommy Steele, he kept a well-guarded “secret box of Gene Vincent and Tom Jones. He also sounds,” which was a container stuffed made one of the earliest ever recordings of with all manner of quirky objects for David Bowie (who was then with his first creating unorthodox melodies. band, The Konrads). By the early 60s Joe felt he was ready By the mid-1960s though trends were to go it alone and moved to 304 Holloway changing, and Joe found himself under Road. Here, in a flat above the parade of increasing financial pressure. Friends shops, he established RGM Records (his also noticed he was beginning to develop full name actually being Robert George a disturbing paranoia, convincing Meek) and transformed his entire home himself that his flat was bugged by rival LTDA into a recording studio. From the stairway companies keen to steal his ideas. As well to the bathroom, no place was off limits as this, Joe was becoming obsessed with and Joe would use each space, along the occult and began setting up recording with seemingly everyday items, to create equipment in graveyards in the hope all manner of sounds. Joe was obsessed that the dead would offer him guidance. with space and science fiction and his During one such session, he recorded the style, which sounded eerie and futuristic, sound of a cat mewing – and became reflected this. convinced that these were the desperate The first major hit produced at calls for help from a human spirit trapped Holloway Road was Johnny Remember within the feline body. Me which was sung by John Leyton, Joe’s deteriorating mental health came who was also an actor who appeared in to a head in January 1967 when the Have you got an opinion or a view on taking the taxi the Great Escape. This haunting track, mutilated body of a 17-year-old youth featuring Chas of Chas and Dave on bass, named Bernard Oliver was discovered trade forward? We have been holding a reached number one in July 1961. in Suffolk. Bernard had been working series of members’ workshops over the past few This was followed in August 1962 at a factory in north London and police months to share ideas and views in small groups. by an even bigger hit: ‘Telstar,’ which announced they were going to question The next one will take place on Tuesday, January 22, was performed by The Tornados. every known homosexual man in the area. 2020, at 10-11.30am, in central London. Named in honour of a recently launched Joe was gay – which was still illegal at the time – and although he had absolutely nothing to do with Bernard’s death, “Joe’s deteriorating his delusions spiraled out of control. Ominously, he also managed to obtain mental health a gun. came to a head in On the morning of February 3, 1967, Joe’s friend Patrick Pink popped by the January 1967 ...” studio for a visit. Joe was in a foul mood, 16 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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LETTERS

HERO’S LAST WORDS FOR TAXI DRIVERS STAR LETTER attended the funeral of Bob Stevens in “A few words about this December and thought I would write a few I words about this proud but humble hero. I was proud but humble hero...” also very proud to be asked by Bob to take him to the French ambassador’s residence [see picture] during the memorial service. I was touched to where he was awarded “the legion of honour ”for also be mentioned for giving Bob an occasional his part in the Normandy landings, the subsequent lift. There was a large military presence at the retaking of France and eventual victory in funeral and it was emotional when the last post Germany. Bob has always praised the London taxis was played as he was laid to rest. I was asked and went on many veterans’ days out organised by by the veterans and Bob’s family to pass on my the taxi charities. He was especially touched by the thanks to the whole taxi trade for their help and cabbies generosity and a special mention for all generosity with the veterans causes. u London taxi drivers was given in the vicar’s speech Terry Enever

the problem – so why don’t they mention it on the SAVED BY form. If they know why, do we get the aggravation. They don’t tell anyone. THE LTDA I contacted the LTDA once again to tell them am writing to express my sincere thanks to and their advice was to take another photo and Anthony Street of the LTDA for his invaluable email it to them and they will forward it to TfL. I intervention in helping my dad renew his taxi I still didn’t know if glasses were allowed to driver’s licence. To be fair to the PCO, they were be worn. When I had my first picture taken at not at fault, which was entirely ours. My dad has Hamilton’s (photographers) in Upper Street I was been a taxi driver for over 50 years and thought told if you wore glasses to drive you put them on, he had submitted his renewal, but this wasn’t otherwise leave them off. But that was in 1900 the case. It came to light when renewing his when you could ask a policeman to shield you with insurance and he realised he only had three days their cape while you peed against the rear offside left on his licence. We didn’t know what to do. wheel. You used to be able to phone Whitehall The thought of him not being able to go to work 1212 and ask for the Public Carriage Office. People was truly horrifying, not because of the money, but don’t know how much better it was then. You took because it is what he loves doing. We contacted your form to the counter in Pentonville Street, they the LTDA and immediately spoke with Anthony. did a CRB check while you waited and after about He assured us he would help, and he sure did. He So, I got a white towel pinned to the door and take “Why 20 mins you walked out with your new licence. resubmitted dad’s application after managing to another, specs-less, photo with my photo booth They could be hard, but very fair. Above all you locate the necessary DBS reference number and app and post this off to Sheffield. don’t you respected them. Your bill was 3 shillings sterling made calls to the PCO who were also very helpful. Yesterday, I got another email from TfL, saying ask them (15p) that was all and the cab test was free. Now We received an email from the PCO confirming exactly the same thing. I thought maybe they you have to apply four months in advance. It they had received his application and it had been hadn’t received the second one yet. I spent 45 mins to scan it was three months once and I expect it will be six approved within two days and within four days waiting to speak to someone on the phone to find again in months soon! I have just taken yet another photo his new licence arrived. We can’t thank Anthony out what is happening. I eventually got through and am sending it to the LTDA for approval and enough for his helpful and extremely professional and asked what type of photo do they want; this colour?...” forwarding. attention. was their response. I can’t put a price on LTDA membership and Rob Hanifan “When Sheffield receive all communications, the help and advice I have had from them over the they scan them in black and white. So, we need decades of membership. If you haven’t joined, do it; one in colour.” I say why don’t you ask them to most of the cost is tax deductible. You never know scan it again in colour? No response. They know when you might need their expertise. Be lucky boys PRICELESS HELP IN and girls. MUDDLED TIMES Fred the Leg y bill is due to expire on January 31, 2020. I got the reminder four months M before, at the end of September. That’s DO YOU KNOW plenty of time you would think. Think again! I went online to fill out the application form, but MY DAD? some of the questions are a bit ambiguous. So, I ’ve not seen my dad for over 30 years. My contacted the LTDA - money well spent. I was EASY RUN HARD RUN youngest brother died, his son, and he has no advised to fill out the hard copy and post to the idea about this. I remember him being a black u Thai Embassy u Lymington Road I address in Sheffield. I completed the DBS form cab driver in London and his name is George to to and got it back in record time. Now, I’m waiting Thomas Perry. He lived in Barnet with us. He split Fairfax Road, NW3 Barnes Station for a new licence. However, this is where it goes with my mother and I think he moved to Kingston wrong. I got an email from TfL saying they needed Upon Thames. I was wondering if anyone could a colour photo with no shadows or other objects in help me find him. He’s most likely between 75 and it and passport size. I looked at the photo and the Do you have a gripe or praise? Contact us at 80 years old now. Please email [email protected] only “object” I can see are the specs I am wearing. 0207 121 0523 or email [email protected] Susan Perry 18 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

The rights of workers have gone backwards since Uber started hawking its unwanted wares A RETURN TO CHRIS ACKRILL VICTORIAN VALUES

ON THE ROAD coming into Brighton and sleeping in their cars taxes. We don’t seem to have progressed much between shifts. in the world of work really. Social cohesion, Mr Peters goes on to make comparisons fairness and security has been forgotten about as t this time of year, trade is slow and we between the working conditions of some we’ve been so preoccupied by the issues around have more time on our hands. Time to PH drivers to the days of domestic slavery. Brexit, and yet more elections. Domestic slavery A catch up with some reading perhaps. He notes the way some Uber drivers are like undoubtedly still goes on, even if the modern Towards the end of 2019 I read a copy of Private chambermaids working for a decaying gentry, form now affects those independent-minded Hire & Taxi Monthly agazine. There’s always such as in TV programmes such as Upstairs souls hiring themselves out as self-employed something interesting to read in PHTM. It gives Downstairs and Downton Abbey. He’s right; sole traders. If you’re dependent on someone some thoughtful insights on issues affecting both sleeping in a minicab boot is similar to living in else to provide your living you are vulnerable to the private hire and taxi trades. It’s not just a an attic waiting to be summoned to work by the exploitation. matter of seeing what the opposition is up to, master of the house. The Uber app pinging is the Uber’s status in London is uncertain, but they and it’s not all about minicabs. modern version of a yank of the chain by their still operate in many cities of the world. Maybe In November’s issue, I learnt that a goose had social betters. It’s as if drivers are sitting in their Uber and its ilk will die out like sending kids up smashed through the windscreen of a taxi in cars – or lying in the boot – awaiting Lord Uber chimneys did? Nottingham. A photo shows the goose sitting of the Big House to call you up on an errand. I was wondering if I’d fit inside the boot of on the back seat of a TX surrounded by broken The fact is, if you refuse the errand, the master a TX4. No of course, I wouldn’t. Anyway, it’s glass. The bird appeared unharmed following will simply find someone else to do it, and you pretty dark in there. I don’t really know what veterinary attention. Vets had to give another won’t eat lunch today, or at least get another job goes on under the bonnet, and I’d rather not critter the once over after a Welsh taxi driver for a long time. You might as well go back to know if there’s any activity in the boot. There found an escaped corn snake warming itself sleep. Thousands of drivers with PH stickers are could be all kinds of critters living there. Keep under the bonnet of his cab in Cardiff. sitting around waiting for the call. They’re not them doors locked! u I enjoyed the article by Andy Peters, Secretary needed, they’re victims of over-supply. But the of the GMB Brighton and Hove taxi section. app-based suppliers’ sole appeal is on providing a Chris Ackrill is a taxi driver and He discusses the situation in the region which swift response to a virtual hail, and it doesn’t cost former Knowledge examiner is suffering from Uber drivers flooding in from the organisation money to have drivers sitting places as far away as Wolverhampton and Sefton. around all day making the place look untidy. I The Brighton PH and taxi trades clearly have know some London taxi drivers sleep in their the same feelings about cross-border hiring as cabs at Heathrow. It’s a lifestyle choice to sleep “Domestic slavery undoubtedly we do in London, and probably caused more in the cab and catch the first arrivals. It’s not a still goes on, even if the grief by it. Andy doesn’t mention London Uber lifestyle I’d choose, but things aren’t so desperate drivers, but I’m sure many of those trying it on for us. There’s more element of choice when a modern form now aects in Brighton are licensed by TfL; the licensing taxi driver can choose to legally pick up from the authority that likes to say “yes.” Anyway, what street. those independent-minded amused the GMB secretary was a photo being Those of us who listen to LBC may remember circulated that was said to be of a Southampton presenter James O’Brien comparing the Uber souls hiring themselves out as private hire driver asleep in the boot of his car. organisation to Victorian mill owners. Very This is seen as evidence that out-of-towners are true; though at least the mill owners paid their self-employed sole traders...” @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 19

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Action is needed to protect one of the key elements of the taxi trade which makes it unique THE FUTURE OF STEVE KENTON PLYING FOR HIRE A MAN IN BLACK of current legislation the taxi industry has been caught the reality is that there is no legislation available to out somewhat like a rabbit in the headlights. mitigate for that scenario. Everybody was caught out by the speed of change There are 362,600 taxi and private hire drivers, with ou remember the good old days don’t you? – except perhaps the boffins in Silicon Valley, who 291,800 vehicles registered as taxis or private hire The days before mobile phones controlling engineered it. As ever regulators around the world vehicles in the UK; 24% are Hackney Carriages whilst Y our lives, what we think, what we feel and were caught napping and have been even slower to act. 76% are registered as PHVs. how we order taxis and private hire vehicles. As a result the taxi industry was way behind the game. In London, as of December 8, 2019, there were Back in the old days we could pick up a phone and Looking at plying for hire it is probably no longer 22,724 taxi drivers licensed by TfL, whilst a whopping order a taxi from ranks such as Sloane Square, or order possible to legislate for it per-sè, after all what is an 108,513 individuals are registered as private hire a cab from one of a number of radio circuits. In turn, instant hail? Is an instant hail defined by waiting a drivers, an imbalance of almost five to one. The you could also order a minicab over the phone and 15 microsecond or a minute. Is plying for hire immediate, current situation technically allows all 108,500 to minutes later Sid would turn up in his battered old a wait of five minutes or 15 minutes. The short answer effectively ply for hire, fundamentally damaging Ford Cortina, complete with fluffy dice and Carlos is all are correct and none are correct. the business model of those in the taxi industry Fandango go faster stripes. It is quite simply impossible to define from a time who are actively qualified to ply for hire via the Sadly, those days are long gone, confined to the perspective. However, what CAN be legislated for is if Knowledge of London or any form of regional annals of history. Now we have e-hailing, where you a person gets into a PHV and then orders the vehicle. examination outside of London. tap your phone and a taxi appears faster than a slightly Distance can be legislated for and therefore the time So, whilst myriad issues must be addressed, issues inebriated octogenarian looking for a peck on the issue becomes irrelevant. which have been highlighted in both the the APPG cheek in the pub on New Year’s Eve. Whilst time may be impossible to define, distance report into taxis and private hire as well as the More worryingly, the same applies to private isn’t. As an example, if a private hire driver is in Government’s task and finish report. If plying for hire hire vehicles, which can apparently be driven by Leicester Square then it shouldn’t be beyond the can be defined at all we need to decide whether to anybody who feels like earning a few quid. But realms of possibility to block him or her from push for a definition of plying for hire by time or by what can be done? accepting any work within a 300 metre radius of his distance then get the Secretary of State for Transport The private hire industry has been around in London location. Therefore, you are effectively defining plying to act quickly. u for nearly 60 years and it isn’t going away any time for hire not by time but by distance via geo-fencing. soon. However, while the PH industry has evolved and This of course would only work if a PHV driver is Steve Kenton is a Licensed Taxi managed to gain a foothold through the manipulation using an app. If a driver is using a radio circuit then driver of more than 30 years

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LEVC London 39-41 Brewery Road London N7 9QH levc.com *Exclusively available at LEVC Brewery Road. Terms and conditions apply, please visit levc.com for full details. 22 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 23 Farewell to Popular Trade NEWS IN BRIEF Passenger’s Supporter Martin Cordell Whopping Xmas Uber bill OBITUARY A horrified Uber passenger was hit Kind and generous father, husband with an unwanted Christmas gift long-standing friend to the licensed from Uber after she was taken on a London taxi trade, Martin Cordell, long route home and was hit with a died suddenly at the age of 77 on £529.77 bill. November 26, 2019. Ashleigh Cooper was driven 89 Martin started his accountancy miles around the M25 from London practice in 1966 and it became the to Kent, rather than taken on place to go for taxi drivers needing the 40-mile journey it should tax advice over the following years. have been. The fact that his father-in-law and She claims Uber refused to several family members were licensed refund the journey and instead has London taxi drivers prompted Martin only offered credit for future rides. to specialise in this area, assisting cab She said: “Even though they’ve drivers with the preparation of their accepted fault they will only offer accounts and tax returns. credit for future rides and have The practice grew rapidly and will continue to assist the cab trade. a number of charitable causes. refused to refund any money. over the years Martin Cordell and Co Many of the firm’s staff have been He regularly provided support They’ve also only offered half the has helped many thousands of taxi there for more than 20 years, some to the annual outing to Southend- fare as Uber credit. drivers, as well as countless others, upwards of 30 years, and they will On-Sea organised by the London “This ‘compensation’ is beyond to keep their accounts and taxation ensure that the business continues.” Taxi Drivers’ Charity for Children, insulting as I will never use affairs in order. Martin was passionate and in addition to sponsoring trips their services again and I’m still Martin’s wife Irene, to whom he proactive in the fight against Uber, to Disneyland Paris for ill and hundreds of pounds worse off a was married for more than 58 years, believing that the London taxi trade underprivileged children, Macmillan week before Christmas. and daughter Samantha, are resolved is something to be cherished and Nurses, Save The Children and They have completely washed to maintain his legacy: “As sad as we preserved. numerous other charities. their hands with my case and said are at the sudden loss of a wonderful Aside from his accountancy Martin Cordell, a kind, caring and I need to take it up with Transport husband and father, we are practice, Martin was heavily generous man, will be greatly missed, for London but I haven’t heard determined that Martin Cordell & Co involved for a very long time in but his name will live on. anything back in four days.

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From significant fuel savings and reduced service, maintenance and repair costs to an array of flexible finance packages, government funding and subsidies, there are many reasons why the world-class TX electric taxi is exceptionally affordable.

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Weekly equivalent based on 5 year PCP paid monthly via direct debit.

*Business users only. Finance illustration refers to Personal Contract Purchase. 7.3% APR Representative; figures based on TX Vista at £57,099 OTR (OTR figure is net of OLEV Plug in Taxi Grant which is up to £7,500 and is subject to European Whole Vehicle Type Approval and European Commission state aid notification) with a customer deposit of £3,750, followed by 60 monthly payments of £791.09 (equivalent weekly payments of £182.56 – it is not possible LEVC London North – 0203 912 6214 to pay by week, balance is paid monthly via direct debit) plus an optional final payment of £19,258 and £10 Purchase Fee. Based upon an annual contracted mileage of 30,000. You have the option at the end of the agreement to 1. return the vehicle and not pay the optional final payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum agreed mileage a charge per excess mile will apply. In this example, 6p plus VAT per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded the maximum agreed mileage you will have nothing further to pay. 2. Pay the optional final payment and keep the vehicle. Or 3. Part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of LEVC London West – 0203 657 0597 Enquire today at levc.com/taxioffer your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status. All prices inclusive of VAT. Two, three or four year plans are also available. Finance is provided by Black Horse Taxi Finance a trading style of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. Credit is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. All prices and promotions are valid for vehicles ordered and delivered before 31 March 2020. LEVC London South East – 0203 657 0598 @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 25

WHY SETTLE FOR LESS WHEN YOU CAN AFFORD THE BEST

From significant fuel savings and reduced service, maintenance and repair costs to an array of flexible finance packages, government funding and subsidies, there are many reasons why the world-class TX electric taxi is exceptionally affordable.

TX VISTA from £183 per week*

Weekly equivalent based on 5 year PCP paid monthly via direct debit.

*Business users only. Finance illustration refers to Personal Contract Purchase. 7.3% APR Representative; figures based on TX Vista at £57,099 OTR (OTR figure is net of OLEV Plug in Taxi Grant which is up to £7,500 and is subject to European Whole Vehicle Type Approval and European Commission state aid notification) with a customer deposit of £3,750, followed by 60 monthly payments of £791.09 (equivalent weekly payments of £182.56 – it is not possible LEVC London North – 0203 912 6214 to pay by week, balance is paid monthly via direct debit) plus an optional final payment of £19,258 and £10 Purchase Fee. Based upon an annual contracted mileage of 30,000. You have the option at the end of the agreement to 1. return the vehicle and not pay the optional final payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum agreed mileage a charge per excess mile will apply. In this example, 6p plus VAT per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded the maximum agreed mileage you will have nothing further to pay. 2. Pay the optional final payment and keep the vehicle. Or 3. Part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of LEVC London West – 0203 657 0597 Enquire today at levc.com/taxioffer your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status. All prices inclusive of VAT. Two, three or four year plans are also available. Finance is provided by Black Horse Taxi Finance a trading style of Black Horse Ltd, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. Credit is subject to status and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. All prices and promotions are valid for vehicles ordered and delivered before 31 March 2020. LEVC London South East – 0203 657 0598 26 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

NEWS IN BRIEF New Cycleway Plans Unveiled RIP Pat LONDON Slattery Plans which could see a 1.5-mile cycleway created between Greenwich and Woolwich OBITUARY have been opened for consultation. The cycle route would connect to Taxi drivers have paid their last respects Cycleway 4 and Greenwich Town Centre, to a much-loved Heathrow stalwart stretching from Anchor and Hope Lane to and long-serving cabbie who died just the Woolwich Ferry roundabout, creating before Christmas. a continuous route from Woolwich to Pat Slattery, or ‘Flat Battery,’ as Tower Bridge. he was affectionately The route is an accident blackspot where known, had been 215 collisions leading to death or injury Six new pedestrian crossings with at the Transport for London website or driving a cab since were recorded in 2017 and 2018. improvements to a number of others emailing consultations@tfl.gov.uk. 1963 and worked London’s Walking and Cycling along the route, serving key local com- Transport for London will also hold four the flyers for over Commissioner, Will Norman, said: “With munities, schools, the Woolwich Ferry public drop-in sessions where members of 50 years. He was additional pedestrian crossings and a new and Warspite Road, where a pedestrian the public can view the proposals, speak a fourth generation bus lane, the route will be made better was killed in a collision in 2018 to members of the project team and ask cabbie, and one of the and safer for everyone. Extending the existing bus lanes questions. quickest of his generation “The area around Angerstein W idening the pavement at a number W ednesday 22 January 2020 (12:00 to pass the Knowledge. roundabout has seen two fatalities in of locations, to give people walking - 19:00) Triumph Room, Clockhouse A larger than life character, Pat recent years, and we will continue to work more space Community Centre, Defiance Walk, was passionate about the trade and closely with Greenwich Council to deliver Public consultation held last year for Royal Arsenal, London SE18 5QL never short of either an opinion or a these vital improvements as soon Cycleway 4, which linked Tower Bridge S aturday 25 January 2020 (12:30 - wisecrack. He was particularly known as possible.” with Greenwich Town Centre, saw 17:30) Greenwich Room, Clockhouse in the canteen for ‘Pattercisms,’ where The public consultation process on more than 80% of respondents support Community Centre, Defiance Walk, he would misappropriate words or the first part of the cycleway, between the move. Royal Arsenal, London SE18 5QL get them wrong in a way that caused Charlton and Woolwich, is now open until Pending the outcome of the most recent T uesday 28 January 2020 (12:00 - others endless amusement. February 16. public consultation, TfL predicts work on 19:00) Greenwich Suite, The Valley, Pat’s life was celebrated by a large The consultation asks for public the scheme could start in 2021 and would Floyd Road, Charlton, London SE7 8BL gathering of family and friends at views on: take around a year to complete. S aturday 8 February 2020 (11:00 South West Middlesex crematorium A new two-way, fully segregated high Interested parties have been asked to - 16:00) Greenwich Suite, The on January 7, 2020. He will be quality 2.5km cycleway, which would provide their feedback by February 16, Valley, Floyd Road, Charlton, sorely missed. run along the A206 Woolwich Road and can do so by filling in the survey London SE7 8BL. Pat Slattery, 1941 - 2019 w SAME DAY REPLACEMENT TAXI GLASS WWW.TAXIGLAZE.COM 30+ INSURANCE COMPANIES  With direct billing

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Lost items have a habit of turning up in the most unusual of places after hours of scrabbling around BADGE HANGING AL FRESCO BY A THREAD TWO FINGERS

ny time an official looking letter with my full name, Alan A Clive Fresco, peeping through the plastic window drops onto the mat, I have to admit, my bottle goes. Between the time of ripping open the envelope and reading its contents, my mind is racing – sifting out the likelihood of any number of TfL scenarios that could have warranted a missive. It was hardly ever likely to be a letter of congratulation – passing on a message from a thankful passenger for getting them to their destination twice as quickly and at a fraction of the price of the last Uber they took; or for getting them to the station with seconds twinkles and had to come back and on a branch in Kingsley Way. I’d been and address and I pitched up outside to spare, despite road works, climate (thankfully) pass the test the following combing the pavements, and someone his house a couple of hours later. We change protests and state occasions. So, day. This year, I promised myself I’d had hung my badge on a tree. Rather chatted a while on the doorstep before when I lost my badge, I feared the worst focus, but I was still incredibly anxious than hand it in to the police, if he he handed me my badge, in a plastic recrimination in the form of a deluge of when I settled down with my forehead could have found a police station who’d sandwich bag. Frantic barking from official “Mr Alan Clive Fresco” finger- and chin resting inside a large bowl- take it, he’d called the LTDA, hoping the kitchen suggested that the bag wagging letters. I could have sworn I shaped instrument. Bingo! I passed with that the badge holder was an LTDA may once have contained a hungry was wearing it when I walked into the stars in my eyes. member. I was. He gave me his name cockapoo’s lunch? u opticians for my cab medical eye test And, that’s when I discovered I’d appointment on Wednesday, lunchtime. lost my badge. I retrieved my bag, I have to admit, the eye test unnerves scarf and jacket, and before I jammed me. There are two medical conditions my titfer back on my loaf, I rummaged STAY IN THE KNOW that terrify me – developing Alzheimer’s through my jacket pockets for my and losing my sight. I found my way badge. Nothing. I went back into the to the optician’s, so that was a positive. optician’s and started moving furniture, 15 year reminder you must notify LTPH immediately My eye test last year was a near disaster. then crawling round on the floor peering The London taxi 15 year age limit (0343 222 4444 / tph.enquiries I passed all the usual stuff, getting under tables and chairs. I tipped out refers to the cab’s ‘birthday’ @tfl.gov.uk) right down to the bottom line on the my bag and rummaged through the (in the log book) not its You may then continue electronic eye chart. In the olden days, detritus. Still nothing! on all counts. plate date. working. A letter of that would have been sufficient. The Slowly, intently, I trudged the quarter For example: confirmation will be sent doc alternately covering each eye with mile back to my cab, glaring at the A cab passed when out to you by Transport a copy of The Lancet, whilst you recited myriad crisp packets, sweet wrappers it is 14 years and 11 for London, prior to a “E, F P, T, O, Z,“ etc., from a battered and plastic coffee cups littering the months old WILL be replacement identifier card pinned to the hat stand. Nowadays, grassy sidewalk and wedged under granted a further 12 being processed. the DVLA insist on visual field neighbourhood hedges. Nothing! months of life. testing to detect any peripheral blind I went down on my hands and knees Cabs may be booked in for Shop a tout spots. Automated Perimetry, meant at the open driver’s door and inspected testing in the normal way when Anyone who sees touting or any sitting, crouched in front of a machine under the seat. I unearthed a pound the plate has 28 days or less to run. other form of illegal cab-related generating tiny lights of different coin, my granddaughter’s missing The cab can then work up to activity is urged to contact TfL intensities. The object of the exercise Frozen hairbrush and a crumpled, the test date. If the plates are taken with the details. was to press a button each time I ambidextrous, plastic glove. Sweet FA! off with more than 28 days to Take down the registration identified a random flicker. Just thinking On Thursday morning I had a run, both the plates and the paper number and make a note of the about it makes me come out in a cold phone call from a woman at the LTDA licence must be surrendered to one date, time and location where sweat. Your eyes are tested one at a enquiring if I’d lost my cab badge. I of the six NSL inspection centres in incident took place. time, and you really need to concentrate. told her I had and was given a number and around London. Type “cab enforcement” into After my right eye was tested, I lost to call. A man’s voice answered – who The ‘unplated’ cab must then your internet search engine and concentration, missed a galaxy of told me he’d found my badge hanging not be worked, and at least one follow the links to the ‘report illegal week should be allowed before activity’ section of the TfL website. attempting to book the next NSL “I went down on my hands and knees test, to allow the computerised DVLA reminder at the open driver’s door and inspected booking system to recognise that The photo card part of the driving the plates have been registered. licence lasts for 10 years and must under the seat. I unearthed a pound coin, renewed after that period. The my granddaughter’s missing Frozen Lost/stolen identi€er licence becomes invalid if it is not hairbrush and a crumpled, ambidextrous, If your identifier is lost or stolen renewed with a current picture. plastic glove. Sweet FA!” 28 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

MASSETT'S CAMERA HOTSPOTS EXMOUTH MARKET Red zone BERKLEY STREET J/W PICCADILLY Yellow box cameras JOHN ISLIP STREET No right turn into Ponsonby Terrace FULHAM BROADWAY/BARCLAY ROAD Yellow box CAMDEN 20mph limit SELFRIDGES Over ranking LUDGATE HILL Zig-Zags ISLINGTON 20mph limit u HOTSPOT 1 RED ROUTES TfL is actively enforcing yellow box restrictions Devonshire Place Mews TOWER BRIDGE 20 mph speed limit – average speed cameras LIMEHOUSE LINK 30mph speed limit — no right turn SMITHFIELD Do not park in loading boxes, they are enforced by camera u A13 Average speed cameras in operation HOTSPOT 2 THE CITY 20mph limit Bin’eld Road KILLICK STREET Pedestrian zone —24hr pedestrian zone WESTMINSTER PARK PLAZA No right turn into Addington Street VERNON PLACE No left turn into Southampton Row

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DIARY PRIZE

ALL 4 ONE BONUS FOR LTDA MEMBERS

hat better way to kick off the New Year than with a free £150 Omar Benbouteldja said: “Brilliant – thanks very much. What a stroke of gift card? Our spotters love nothing more than hopping around luck to start off the New Year.” London looking for LTDA diaries – so make sure you have yours A short while later our spotters managed to catch up with Abdiraham in the windscreen. Abukar, who was pleased as punch when he was handed a £150 gift card WThis week they caught up with Omar, who was delighted when our simply for having his diary on display. Abdiraham said: “That’s great, thanks spotters surprised him with a £150 All 4 One gift card just for having his a lot. That’s made my day. ” diary on the dashboard. Each year we give away almost £8,000 to LTDA members, so the odds All 4 One cards can be spent on a huge array of items in dozens of stores, of coming up trumps are pretty good. Just make sure you have your LTDA including Debenhams, Argos, River Island and Marks and Spencer. membership diary on display and let us do the rest.

Omar: “Brilliant.” Abdiraham: “Great”

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*Only if you're a new Gett Driver or have been inactive for 12 months @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 31 Back to Black After Uber Rip-off NEWS IN BRIEF Tube Pollution Worse TRADE Than New York

A horrified Uber driver has vowed to Pollution on London’s Tube stick to London taxis after being taken network is about 15 times worse on a 65 mile odyssey costing more than than above ground, according £200 when he dozed off in a minicab at to researchers from King’s Christmas. College London. Concentrations Nicholas Moon missed his last train of fine toxic particles, known as while returning from his Christmas PM2.5, were far greater on the work party and ordered a minicab Underground than in the city’s through the app from Pancras Road. most congested areas such as The driver Uber quoted him around Oxford Street or Hyde Park. £80 maximum rate at a 2.0 Surge for The Victoria and Northern lines the 24.26 miles, 49-minute journey to were worse than subway systems his Peartree home. in New York, Los Angeles, Beijing Nicholas was later dropped off and Seoul. and it was only when he received the On average, the London detailed receipt that he realised to his Underground handles 2.8 million horror that he had been taken on a passenger trips each day - with an detour. average journey being 47 minutes. He said: “I was not happy on Inhalation of particulate pollution receiving the detailed receipt or the is understood to have adverse fact that we appeared to have only health impacts. started heading home once I woke up Waterloo, London Bridge and the other side of Hertford, a town past Oxford Circus were the most my destination address.” Even after he complained a few swerve in the future. “I’m not going polluted stations. The District Line He had been on a 66-mile ride - more times, he was not given any to use them again,” he said. “They and the Docklands Light Railway, more than double the estimated route explanation for the charge or the haven’t been very helpful and now I’m large sections of which are above - that took one hour and 30 minutes wrong route. He then contested it aware [from social media] that I’m not ground, were the lines with the and cost £206.48. through his PayPal’s fraud service and the only one this has been done to.” lowest concentration of pollution. He said he was given credit for Uber was given £100 back. He said in future that he would take Researchers monitored worth £100, after he complained a few Asked if he would be using his credit a London taxi or use a local firm. pollution levels by wearing special times, but was not refunded the full from Uber, Nicholas told the Welwyn Uber was approached for a comment backpacks fitted with devices that £126.48 difference on his journey. Hatfield Times he would give Uber a but did not respond. measure PM2.5 levels. HALVEY ENGINEERING

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Last year was one of many ups and downs and 2020 is set to follow in a similar fashion FAREWELL ALF TOWNSEND TO 2019 TAXI TALK As a founder member of the LTDA, with “I’m told This means VAR! connections to the association for more than 50 For all the many years that I’ve been years, I’ve never known our trade to be so well that playing and watching football the referee his is the time of the year that the backed by powerful MPs. Steve is constantly has always been the guvnor and, if you professional journos call the silly pushing for the Mayor of London, Sadiq credit didn’t like a decision, then you had to T season. The Christmas and New Year Khan, to be given control of PHV numbers lump it! Not any longer though, thanks festivities have been covered- not to mention so that TfL can introduce a cap and for the cards to the advent of VAR (Video Assistant the General Election that was bled dry. Government to update the outdated legislation Referee) technology, which can lead to Now, unless something untoward happens, and tackle cross-border hiring, amongst have refereeing decisions being overruled. they face a very quiet two months – a bit other things. Apparently, there are over 70% of like our kipper season! It has been another challenging year for also supporters saying that VAR is killing the 2019 was the first full year that I haven’t drivers, but Uber has once again proven to be proven game; chants such as “it’s not football driven a cab or a car, because I have a bus and unfit to be an operator. I’m sure it will appeal anymore” have been sweeping the Tube service 10 minutes away – plus my old until the cows come home in an effort to get to be a grounds. The main problem is the time geezer’s Freedom Pass and, my mate Terry its London licence back and it remains to be it takes to make or overrule a decision. picks me up once a week for a round of golf. seen whether TfL will stick to its guns and be boost It is also felt that the ref should stick to Looking back at 2019 it will be remembered backed by the courts as the case progresses. their guns. I’ve studied many of the VAR chiefly – if at all – for being dominated by the I’m told that credit cards have also proven to to the decisions from my armchair – especially shambles called Brexit. Many of The MPs were be a boost to the trade – and at Heathrow they the offsides. And on most occasions, I forever changing their minds on this subject, have taken taxi use back to above 2012 levels – trade...” can’t for the life of me see any offside some of them more often than I change my despite the initial reservations. offence – except maybe half a football socks! The indecision in Parliament spread to Some of the old timers still have a black boot over the line! In many instances the streets and once avid remainers and leavers plastic bag over their credit card machine, VAR’s crucial penalty decisions are even also seemed regularly change their minds. The but they are in the minority and ARE getting more baffling. issues ended the careers of a large number of nicked all the time! The present scenario is now Most of the TV viewers and spectators MPs, some who came a cropper by switching a more level playing field! are left dumbfounded when a wicked parties because of Brexit. Some long-serving Last year could be seen in the future as the and dangerous tackle which should politicians lost their seats in the recent general year that the London cabbies saved their trade warrant a penalty and a red card results election when Boris wiped the floor with and saw off yet another challenger. in VAR indicating, ‘no penalty’! I know Labour and all the other minor parties, gaining NB: my apologies to my fellow columnist it’s early days, but I can only hope this a massive majority! Chris Akrill that I couldn’t write-again, about technology is deployed more efficiently At the risk of being accused of sucking up the paper mache, pregnant angels flying high in the future. If not, I personally believe to our head honcho, I really must congratulate above Regent Street, with rainwater in their that VAR will deter many spectators from Steve McNamara on the great job he has done tummies! The editor says he can recite the going to live matches. As for us armchair by enlisting many MPs to support our trade. story word for word! supporters, we’ll just switch it off! u 34 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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Putting up with drunks on the year’s booziest night isn’t all bad THE UPS AND DOWNS

MUSHER MEG OF WORKING ON NYE LICENSED TO CHAT “Get in!” I called to her through the front to mount my horse, but he is very frisky this passenger window. “I tried to afternoon and won’t allow it.” She told me After several call outs for her to get open guide her this in a tone of voice that suggested I was the ell done to all you cabbies who the door of the cab and sit in the back, I got idiot of all idiots. braved New Year’s Eve. It’s tough out to help. I found her still bent sideways into the Then she commanded: “Hold him still for W out there in the early hours, when from the waist and repeatedly kneeing the cab. The me while I mount.” punters are awash with, ahem, high spirits; side of my cab. I saw this as my chance to get her safely in make that 40% spirits. I tried to guide her into the cab. The woman woman the back. With more contact with her backside The last time I worked New Year’s Eve smelt like she had been dipped in brandy, and smelt than I would have liked, I heaved and hauled night was in 2016, and I have a tale to tell she started yelling, “get orf me! Get orf me, like she her onto the back seat. She conked out instantly, from that night. I tell you! Go away!” and I ‘borrowed’ her mobile to call her most At 2am, I picked up the world’s poshest I was sorely tempted to do as she had had been frequent number, her husband. woman, and maybe the most piddled one, told me, but she was draped in jewels and dipped in He translated “eating cake” to Eaton Square, too. She was alone and barefoot in Glasshouse VERY tired and emotional and was the and when I pulled up outside their mansion Street, wearing a satin ball gown, mink jacket, West End’s best mugging opportunity of the brandy” there was a proper gent, a famous one at and diamond earrings the size of plums. Her night. I couldn’t leave her stranded. that, waiting anxiously on the pavement. bag was Gucci. There was an ungainly struggle when I And a butler. I pulled up and wished her a cheery Happy tried to assist her with opening the door and The butler delicately removed my fare from New Year and asked, “where to?” getting into the cab. She resisted me and I the back of the cab. She spotted her husband She told me her destination in a slurred voice, asked her what it was that she was trying to and said “dahling!” and he replied, “daaaarling!” and it sounded like “eating cake.” She tried to do. “Oh, you stupid man!” she drawled. Then he mimed a zipped lip to me; and gave point at where she was heading with her fingers, Thanks for that, love, I thought. Mostly me £100. In cash. but just doodled in the air. because I was wearing a nice blouse and Half of which went to a children’s cancer Next, she leant sideways and raised her leg cardigan combo that night with a tweedy A-line charity, and the rest paid for a New Year’s Day against the cab in a sort of high kick. It was skirt. My outfit was a nod to New Year’s Eve, Dinner for my darlin’ and I. more of a medium kick. Imagine a dog and that it was a special night in London town. Gotta (heart) being a cabbie and I wish all of cocking his leg for a pee. All was finally revealed: “I am attempting you a happy, healthy, traffic jam free 2020. u 36 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

High street banks are closing, and the digital revolution is gathering pace, is it time to get onboard? TIME TO JOIN EMMA LUNN A DIGITAL BANK? MONEY MATTERS your debit card, insights into your spending and lets you set up Revolut also offers paid-for Premium and Metal accounts savings goals. You also earn a small amount of in-credit interest which offer additional features including commission-free stock and can apply for a Starling loan if you are eligible. Like Monzo, trading, free and fast money transfers, cryptocurrency trading, ank branches are so old-fashioned – these days it’s all Starling’s debit card is free to use overseas. and airport lounge passes at reduced rates. about digital banks run on smartphone apps with zero Starling’s “marketplace” feature includes several different Another interesting app-only bank is N26 which began B physical presence on the high street. Quirky names financial products and services from other companies, including life in Germany in 2013 and started offering accounts in the such as Monzo, Revolut and N26 are mandatory, alongside savings, insurance, investments and mortgages. UK in 2018. It offers a full current account with deposits brightly coloured or “metal” debit cards. Starling Bank and Monzo were recently rated second and covered by Germany’s BaFin scheme instead of the UK’s Digital banks’ selling points range from fee-free transactions third place respectively in a Which? survey about current Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Alongside abroad, to instant spending notifications and budgeting tools. account customer satisfaction. Online bank First Direct, a free account, N26 has two paid-off premium accounts with Some also partner with other firms to offer a wider range of part of HSBC, was in first place. various additional features. products and services. Other digital challengers worth a look are Revolut and Not wanting to be outdone by the digital newcomers, some Millennial-favourite Monzo is probably the best-known TransferWise. Both providers set out specialising in the travel high street banks have launched digital banks to run alongside app-only bank, famed for its “hot coral” debit card. Monzo money market and arguably remain the best options for people their traditional branch-based services. offers a full current account service and allows users to set travelling, living or working overseas. Bó is the new standalone bank from NatWest and the budgets for popular spending categories such as groceries and Revolut offered a prepaid card with fee-free spending abroad Royal Bank of Scotland. It offers a debit card, instant spending travel, as well as to set money aside in “pots”. Transactions can and wholesale exchange rates, while TransferWise offered notifications and fee-free spending abroad at Visa exchange be rounded up to the nearest pound, with the change saved in international money transfers at much cheaper rates than the big rates. The app helps customers budget, set financial goals a separate pot – making stashing aside small amounts of banks. Both companies now offer a current account which allows and track their everyday spending – so very similar to Monzo, money automatic and easy. you to hold and spend different currencies, and a debit card that and Starling. Monzo’s free to use abroad although cash withdrawals over can be used abroad without incurring fees. However, as it stands at the moment, Bó isn’t part of the £200 a month incur a 3% charge. Although Monzo doesn’t TransferWise offers local current account details for the BACS payments system, so it doesn’t support direct debits, have any branches, you can deposit cash via PayPoint for a £1 UK, Europe, the US and Australia, meaning if you are and you can’t pay your salary straight into a Bó account. fee and send cheques in the post. Monzo has also recently working in any of these regions there is no need to open a Virgin Money also plans to launch a new digital bank in the started to offer overdrafts and loans. local bank account as you can have your salary paid into near future, following its acquisition by the owners of Clydesdale Rival, Starling bank, works in a similar way, and offers similar your TransferWise account. Revolut provides both UK and and Yorkshire Banks in 2018 and the subsequent re-branding of features. The app gives you real-time notifications when you use European account details. all entities to Virgin Money. u

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PUZZLER PRIZE CROSSWORD omplete our crossword puzzle and be in with a chance to win £50! Send your entry to: Crossword 459, Taxi, Taxi House, 11 Woodfield Road, W9 2BA before C February 10. The first name out of the proverbial hat wins the cash! u ACROSS: DOWN: 7 Waste (6) 1 Die (6)

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15 Jammed (5) 12 Supposed (2, 6) CROSSWORD #459 17 This evening (7) 14 Pottery beer mug (4, 3) WINNER: ISSUE 457 — Mrs, T Edwards, NW10 20 Openly (8) 16 Unkempt (6) ACROSS: DOWN: 21 Drill (4) 18 Drug (6) 7 Loving, 8 Ice bag, 9 Beau, 1 Tone, 2 Misunderstand, 10 Overow, 11 Abiding, 13 Éclat, 3 Aground, 4 Lined, 5 Perfectionist, 22 In spite of (6) 19 Severe (5) 15 Weary, 16 Citizen, 18 Airtight, 6 Sabotage, 12 Breviary, 23 Reveal (6) 21 Group (4) 19 Nuts, 21 Pre-nup, 22 Piston 14 Tintype, 17 Agape, 20 Troy

OVERHEARD Have a go way around. His blood was in the carpentry. at this Turned out the tools were sharper than he PUZZLER medium was. When he attempts to mend anything, level Sudoku he 100 years’ war is nothing compared the result is so different he could take out a puzzle. to the war of the sexes. It’ll last forever patent on it. He’s a lousy gardener too. He Fill the grid T because, as Henry Kissinger said, says he talks to the plants to make them grow. SUDOKU so that every “there’s too much fraternising with the enemy.” Apparently only the weeds listened. Without row, every In this column I’ve often been damning about any help at all, my husband’s managed to column and wives. This week I’m leaving space for the fairer transform our garden from a tangled jungle every 3x3 sex to have their revenge. Here’s what one wife into a complete barren waste. Now he’s waiting Just for box contains says about her spouse, the louse. I’d like to say for Spring when everything turns green. One the numbers my husband is a really kind, considerate man. of them being the jewellery he bought me for fun... 1-9 just once I’d like to say that, but people would Christmas. Once when I was doing laugh at me if I did. He used housework, I foolishly asked him to be my ideal. Now he’s my to give me a hand, and he did. ordeal. He’s so unreliable. But I would have preferred help He always says he’d go to rather than applause. The only the ends of the earth for help he gives me is when I’m me. But he never does. Last hoovering, he lifts his feet up. year we went on holiday He’s hopeless at shopping. I together. It lasted six days sent him to the supermarket and seven fights. We didn’t with a list and he lost it. But take photographs. We just he met a friend there and used his kept a scrapbook of all our scraps. instead. Our marriage lost most of When we first got married, I was an its magic when my husband went back to incurable romantic, but he soon cured that. his old tricks. He keeps secrets from me. Like He’s so unromantic we only ever had a candle- he didn’t tell me when his boss put something lit dinner once. And that was because there was extra in his pay packet. It was his P45. He’s a power cut. In those days he exuded charm. going after new jobs now, but he refuses to Now he excludes it. He has what’s known as a show his CV. He says he doesn’t want to dwell balanced personality. A chip on each shoulder. in the past. His main trouble is laziness. Other With him around, our house is always full of people conserve energy, he hoards it. His doctor laughter. Until he tells one of his jokes. He’s told him that stretching is a good exercise. So, useless about the house. I bought him a DIY he spends all day stretched out on the sofa. I book on HOW TO DO IT. Then I had to buy doubt we’ll ever resolve our problems because, him one on HOW TO UNDO IT. He claimed when he’s drunk he hates me, and when he’s Puzzles © 2018 Puzzler Media Ltd.www.puzzler.com carpentry was in his blood, but it was the other sober I hate him. u –Brad Ashton 40 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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LTDA Application Form Oct18.indd 1 09/10/2018 10:23 @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 41 Meet the LTDA legal team

Driving a taxi for many hours of the day in one of the world’s most congested cities is a challenging task. Cabbies often fall victim to complaints and false accusations from police, passengers and other road users (especially cyclists and PHV drivers). When these events arise it’s comforting for LTDA members to know that they have the immediate support of the best John Luckhurst Charlotte Collet specialist in-house legal team in Senior Partner Solicitor Advocate the business. The success rate of the LTDA Legal Team is second to none. In fact, according to Criminal Justice Statistics, LTDA members defended by our team are FOUR times more likely than the national average to be acquitted of allegations made against them.

Tom Poulson I joined the LTDA when I first got my badge and it turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Due to an unfortunate Farouk Merdjane set of circumstances I ended up getting I was involved in an accident whilst driving my my licence revoked by TfL. I turned cab in Shepherd’s Bush. I wasn’t too worried to John Luckhurst, one of the LTDA’s about it because I was confident that it wasn’t legal eagles, for assistance. John went my fault and the insurance would sort it out. to great lengths to prepare a detailed A short while later I received a summons for appeal against TfL’s decision and briefed driving without due care and attention. I had a brilliant barrister to represent me in no witnesses to help me, but the other driver court. The appeal was successful and had produced “independent” witnesses out of saved my livelihood. LTDA subscriptions thin air! I quickly contacted the LTDA’s legal are only four quid a week, which is less department and they immediately visited than a pint, and three pounds can be the scene of the incident and arranged for claimed against tax. I can’t believe that professional photographs to be recorded. I every cabbie in town is not a member. later appeared before magistrates at Lavender Hill Court, where the LTDA barrister tied the witnesses up in knots and demonstrated they could not have seen what they said they had. “FOUR times more likely than the Thank you, LTDA legal department; you gave NATIONAL average to get an acquittal” me an excellent service.

Ken Jackson Paul The LTDA’s solicitors Baxter and support team, I was filled could not have been with confidence more helpful when I the very first first informed them time I contacted that an allegation the LTDA’s had been made legal team and against me. The as it turned LTDA was quick to out, I certainly check all the CCTV wasn’t cameras in the area disappointed. and arrange for They did a plans of the location great job in to be drawn up. sorting out my Witness statements problem with were also obtained TfL. They’ve and Mr Demidecki got to be the was successful in best in the getting the Crown business! Prosecution Service to drop the case against me. Thanks LTDA - an all-round “LTDA subscriptions cost brilliant service! less than four quid a week” 42 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

A selection of our numerous Published by LTDA LTDA Distribution Points Taxi House 11 Wood eld Road, London W9 2BA u A1 Taxis, Melody Lane, Highbury, N5 T: 020 7286 1046 | www.ltda.co.uk u Aba cus Accounts, Southbrook Road, Lee, SE12 @TheLTDA u Astral Café, Regency Place, SW1 u Bubbles Car Wash, E2 Managing Editor u C & S Taxis, Dunbridge Street, E2 Steve Still T: 0207 121 0523 u Ca bsurance, Seven Kings E: [email protected] u Ca mber eld Taxi Services The Massett File Richard Massett u Computer Cab, Mitre Way, W12 International News Wim Faber u Coney Allen, Dunbridge Street, E1 Two Fingers Al Fresco u CP Beehive Service Station, Beehive Lane, Gants Hill Taxi Talk Alf Townsend u Cricklewood Carriers, Cricklewood Overheard Brad Ashton u Dial A Cab, City Road, N1 Licensed to Chat Musher Meg u Edgware Station Rank u Euston Station Rank Produced by u G & L Taxis, Crayford Road, N7 Century One Publishing Ltd u Globe Transmissions, Alban Row,27-31 Verulam Road Cudworth Street, E1 u The Ham, Brentford St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4DG. u Heathrow Airport Canteen T: 01727 893 894, F: 01727 893 895 u Hexagon Garage, Lukin Street, E1 E: [email protected] u Jet Garage, Clipstone Street, W1 www.centuryonepublishing.uk u Knowledge Centre, Caledonian Road u KPM, Hemming Street, E1 Advertising Sales Executive u London City Airport Canteen Jack Green T: 01727 739 196 u LP Motors, Dunbridge Street, E2 E: [email protected] u Martin Cordell, E3 and Stanmore u Paddington Station Rank All rights reserved. No Art Editor part of this publication u Putney Bridge Taxis, The Arches, may be reproduced, Alan Booth stored in a retrieval Putney Bridge Station, SW6 system or transmitted by u Richmond Road Taxi Centre, E8 any means electronic, Advert Coordinator mechanical or by u Safewise Supermarket, Harrow photocopying without Caitlyn Hobbs prior permission of the u South Bank Service Station, publishers. The views Great Su‘olk Street, SE1 and opinions expressed Printed by in this publication may u TAXI HOUSE, W9 not necessarily be those of the publishers. Please u Taxi & Private Hire, Blackfriars Rd, SE1 Manson Group, St Albans note that the last day for u inclusion of Classified Temple Place Shelter lineage advertisements is u Tent Street Taxi Centre, E2 five working days prior to publication. No liability is u Turbo Accessories, Three Colts Lane, E2 accepted by the publisher u should advertisements not Waterloo Station appear in the requested u Wimbledon Station Rank issue(s). While the publisher will take every u WizAnn Knowledge School, care to ensure accuracy, no liability can be ac- Watts Grove, E3 cepted for loss or damage resulting from errors. @TheLTDA |||| www.ltda.co.uk 14 January 2020 |||| TAXI 43 44 TAXI |||| 14 January 2020 www.ltda.co.uk |||| @TheLTDA

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