A TAXI driver has withdrawn his appeal against the decision by Stratford District Council to revoke his licence.
Christopher Parker, aged 69 and from Shipston, had appealed to the Magistrate’s Court following the decision by SDC’s licensing panel in March to revoke his licence.
This followed a complaint received in January 2023, from a member of the public, who was in a mobility scooter, that the driver, Mr Parker, refused to carry him in his hackney carriage vehicle, while plying for hire on a taxi rank within Stratford town centre.
Mr Parker appealed against the decision and the appeal hearing was due to be heard last Monday October 9.
SDC neighbourhood services spokesperson Coun Lorraine Grocott said: “Under the Equality Act 2010, licensed taxi drivers using accessible vehicles must not discriminate against disabled passengers and they should also give them assistance when required.
“Actions such as these are inexcusable and certainly not the high standard that we expect from our licensed drivers who all undergo disability awareness training to ensure they are aware of their legal obligation.”
Mr Parker’s revocation is with immediate effect, and he is no longer a licensed driver with SDC.
The court also ordered Mr Parker to pay costs of £3,696 to the council.
From January 1 2010, all hackney carriage vehicles licensed by SDC were required to be wheelchair accessible vehicles so that those members of the community who are disabled or have mobility issues and who require assistance have reasonable access to transport by way of a hackney carriage.
