Passengers worry about safety risk as checks on taxis in Milton Keynes are suspended

The news came to light after one couple ordered a cab and noticed it had completely bald tyres.

They refused to get in it, and complained to Milton Keynes Council, which is responsible for ensuring all taxis in the city are legal and safe.

Normally routine checks are carried out every six months by the council's taxi department,

But for the past five months, since lockdown began, these checks have been abandoned.

One passenger said: "My taxi driver said the council is refusing to check the vehicles and renew his plating due to Covid. His licence expired on June but he was still allowed to drive. He said some vehicles will not have been tested for almost a year now."

She added: "Surely public safety is at more imminent risk in dangerous vehicles than Covid? If taxi drivers can't be checked due to fears they will transmit the virus, then the council are putting people at double risk."

A spokesman for MK Council told the Citizen: "To protect both licence holders and staff, our vehicle testing service remains closed due to Covid-19.

"Ensuring safety is our number one priority and we are continuing to check each licensed vehicle has a valid MOT certificate to prove that the vehicles are safe. Council staff are also out to enforce taxi patrolling with regular roadside inspections of licensed vehicles."