Three-quarters of taxis in Milton Keynes have suspected or confirmed defects

Taxi Licensing officers from Milton Keynes & South Northants District Council joined forces with Thames Valley Police officers to carry out checks on taxi drivers on an evening of positive enforcement action.

Last night (Thursday), a total of 15 vehicles were stopped and checked on the roads of Milton Keynes during Operation Golf, which targeted Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles with suspected defects/breaches.

The aim of the operation was to proactively tackle vehicle defects found among taxis in the city.

Of the 15 vehicles stopped, 11 were found to have suspected/confirmed defects. They were suspended and sent to the council’s testing station for inspection by qualified examiners.

All 11 vehicles were then thoroughly inspected and 10 were failed with a variety of faults including bald tyres, defective lights, worn brakes, oil leaks, defective windscreen washers, defective horns, bodywork damage, and dirty vehicles with smoke ash on the floor.

Of the 10 vehicles that failed, four were licensed by Milton Keynes Council, three were licensed by South Northants District Council, two were licensed by Aylesbury Vale District Council and one vehicle was licensed by Daventry District Council.

Cllr Catriona Morris, Chair of the Council’s Regulatory (Taxi) Committee said: “This is the second safety operation conducted with Thames Valley Police in as many months with the aim of ensuring that Taxis and Private Hire vehicles operating in Milton Keynes are safe to use.

“We are pleased that South Northants Council were also part of this operation and are working with Milton Keynes Council and Thames Valley Police to reduce the level of defects found in their vehicles.

“We will also be writing to Private Hire Operators so they can also bring these defective vehicles to the attention of their proprietors and drivers.

“It is vital that people have absolute confidence in the safety of licensed vehicles and this operation was designed to highlight those who do not maintain their vehicles and we will continue to work with our partners at neighbouring councils and Thames Valley Police to ensure the safety of the public when using these services.”