Wolverhampton taxi drivers' 'go slow' protest called off after fresh talks tabled
Private hire taxi drivers in Wolverhampton have called off their latest 'go slow' protest after the council agreed to speak with them.
The protest, which was planned to take place on tomorrow, may have seen hundreds of drivers take to the road for the second time from Coxwell Street, near Wolverhampton Science Park, to the city centre.
The most recent protest took place on October 20 and caused chaos for motorists travelling during evening rush hour.
Ebrahim Suleman, vice-chairman of Wolverhampton Private Hire Taxi Association confirmed the planned protest was not taking place.
He said: "We are happy that the council has entered into a dialogue with us over our concerns. Hopefully this will all be sorted out very soon."
The drivers had been protesting against what they had claimed to be too lenient tests for new drivers as well as too many licences being given out.
The association claims that the number of licences being given out by the council impacts on the amount of work available to drivers.
They also say that they were protesting on the grounds of protecting public safety, and to request that the council re-introduce a topographical knowledge test for drivers.
Responding to the news that the planned protest has been called off, Councillor Alan Bolshaw, chairman of Wolverhampton council's licensing committee, said: "We understand that there has been an intervention by Jim Sharma, owner of Wednesfield Radio Cars, who has persuaded the drivers that the best way to resolve this dispute is for them to take up our offer to get around the table and enter into dialogue with us.
"We welcome this development and look forward to the meeting with the drivers later this month."
Last week, drivers also launched an online petition to voice their concerns. This has so far amassed 811 signatures.
The petition states: "Drivers are seeing their earning potential being progressively eroded to the extent that service levels and public safety are being undermined totally.
"Therefore the drivers have to work longer hours just to make ends meet.
"Drivers aim, through negotiation, not only to improve their living standards but also to raise standards, raise the profile of the trade and improve community confidence in the service they offer to the public 24 hours per day, 365 days a year."
