• From 1st Mar. 2020 Wakefield Council emissions had taken full effect.

The taxi trade has been left short changed into buying newer expensive ‘compliant’ vehicles. Leeds have since scrapped the CLEAN AIR ZONE (CAZ).

Currently the vehicle policy allows a first grant of a hybrid vehicle from Jan. 2011 and Euro-6 vehicle first registered from Sept. 2015. All vehicles with the exception of hybrid, ZEC, WAV or 4+ passenger vehicles cannot be re-licensed after reaching 10 years old from registration at DVLA.

Hybrid’s were moved into the same category age limit as the previous policy for 4+ passenger vehicles.

Having an age limit is not economical, counter productive, costly for the environment and makes the policy on age limits confusing.

Although Wakefield does not have an emissions or air quality problem, and when making this choice the council did not review the vehicle age policy for all vehicles including the forced and gradual transition of vehicles to a more compliant licensed fleet due to the proposed Leeds CAZ, Wakefield council should adopt a ‘vehicle emissions’ based policy as per Department for Transport (DfT) guidance and recommendation. 
Please see attached letter.

Council and officers follow government guidance when it suits and ignore when it doesn’t at their own discretion. This clearly demonstrates a blatant disregard to government policy and rules made at local level with no evidence to support their decision.

I am asking you to sign this petition to highlight to Wakefield council the following:

1) Any age ‘compliant’ vehicle should be allowed for a licensed PH or taxi application. No min. age for first grant, emissions based only;

2) Scrap all or any age limits/upper age limits imposed;

3) Apply common-sense.

A 05/06/07/08/09/10/11/12/13 registered hybrid vehicle costs around £2.5k to £4k and has exactly the same emissions technology as a newly registered vehicle.

If councillors and politicians are genuine about their plight for ‘clean air’, a better environment and serving local constituents and the local people, then this petition should be considered with proper care and attention.

COVID-19 and BREXIT have considerably affected and crippled the taxi industry and Wakefield council must act now to safeguard our future and to support the travelling needs of the local people.

As the regional Labour Mayor for West Yorkshire, Tracey Brabin had stated on national radio that taxis are the fourth emergency service and require the full support of local councils.

Kind regards 

Yasar Ahmed - WDA (Wakefield Drivers Association)