Oldham Council taxi and private hire enforcement blitz sees three vehicles removed from the road
Oldham Council, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Police Traffic Unit and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), recently conducted an enforcement operation targeting the safety of taxis and drivers in the borough.
During this operation, 18 private hire and hackney vehicles were stopped and inspected at the council's Moorhey Street Depot.
The initiative aimed to ensure the vehicles were safe and roadworthy. Trained mechanics examined each vehicle for potential safety issues.
The inspection results were concerning. Three vehicles were immediately removed from service due to serious defects. These included improper tyre sizes, incorrect headlamps, an oil leak, missing parts, and a tyre with a significant cut. Until these issues are rectified, the vehicles remain barred from carrying passengers.
Licensing staff also checked the drivers' documentation to confirm compliance with legal requirements.
Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader of Oldham Council and portfolio holder for licensing, said: “A lot of residents rely on them to get around and they particularly support the night time economy.
“However, no one should be driving a vehicle that isn’t up to standard. Faulty vehicles potentially put the lives of passengers, other road users and pedestrians at risk.
“We’ll continue to work with the trade and take action to ensure drivers and taxis that operate in Oldham are safe.”
