Borough council checks on Northampton's taxis takes three dangerous vehicles off the road

A total of 31 vehicles were checked throughout the evening and three were immediately taken off the road, one for worn tyres and two for defective lights. Their vehicle licences were suspended pending repair.

A further three cars were given deadlines for rectifying minor defects and others were advised of their responsibilities after being found not carrying their insurance certificates, no condition books, no first aid kit or not having their plates displayed correctly.

Northampton Borough Council, as the licensing authority, worked with Northamptonshire Police and DVSA on the initiative.

Councillor Anna King, council cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “Our intervention was timely, given the weather we saw over the weekend.

“Private hire and taxi drivers have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are in tip-top shape, otherwise they put the lives of passengers at risk.

“We will continue to carry out these random checks to make sure all vehicles licensed by the council abide by the law and drivers follow the rules we set for them.”

PC David Lee, of Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Roads Team, said: “We’re pleased to have worked with the Council on a successful operation which highlighted the importance of safety in licensed vehicles.

“Checks like this ensure the high standards set by the Borough Council are upheld so people can get to where they need to go safely, in roadworthy vehicles.”