THE Highways Agency are in the process of switching on speed cameras on the M25 between the M11 and the Dartford Crossing.
Cameras were fixed to some of the gantries which were installed when the 16-mile stretch of the road was widened two-years-ago.
Those cameras are now being switched on and will enforce a variable speed limit between junctions 27 and 30.
In recent days, signs notifying motorists that speed cameras are in operation have been fixed to the gantries.
The cameras are linked to the electronic signals on the gantries, which show mandatory speed limits in red rings. But the camera’s will not be active when the electronic signs are blank.
The speed limits can be varied according to traffic conditions. The scheme has already been rolled out across other parts of the M25.
A Highways Agency spokesman said: “We are in the process of commissioning speed cameras and, in August, are installing the signs between junctions 27 and 30 of the M25.
“Cameras are used to smooth traffic flow and improve journey time reliability. Regardless of cameras, speed limits are enforceable by the police. It is important that drivers understand that the onus is on them to ensure that they abide by speed limits.”
In October, free-flow tolling is set to be introduced at the Dartford Crossing. It is hoped the scheme will cut congestion, with motorists paying remotely.
The signs which span across the M25’s carriageway
What do you think to the cameras? Are they a good idea? Do they or will they help with traffic flow? Leave us your thoughts by commenting below
SAFETY FIRST … Dial-A-Cab’s Steven Pippin and Maria Byrne.
A HI-TECH scheme launched by a South Tyneside taxi firm to help keep passengers safe from rogue cabbies is already ranking high with users.
Under a state-of-the-art system which went live this week, people booking cars from Dial-A-Cab are sent a picture of their driver via a mobile phone app before they arrive.
Bosses at the firm, based in Commercial Road, South Shields, set up the scheme after meeting Northumbria Police officers involved in Operation Sanctuary, the investigation into alleged sexual abuse of vulnerable women and girls in the North East.
It is thought some of the alleged victims could have been picked up by rogue drivers in the region, while others were transported by taxis to addresses where they were attacked.
The app has already proved a big hit with customers – and numbers using the service are expected to swell on another busy weekend in the borough.
Steven Pippin, office manager at the company, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better response. The scheme is in its early days, but the feedback we have already had has been very good.
“Customers have been very happy with the service.”
Mr Pippin is hoping even more passengers take advantage of the app during the weekend – a period when taxi services are most in demand during the week.
Dial-A-Cab has spent £6,000 on the new phone app, which it says will allay any passenger fears about getting into a bogus taxi.
Speaking about the app, Mr Pippin added: “We had a standard version, which told people the make of taxi and when it would arrive, but now we can send a picture when people book a taxi using the app.
“We wanted to invest in the upgrade to offer a better service. If you have a family and are booking a taxi for your child, you know who they are getting into a taxi with.
“We are happy to be transparent and share that information. The app is free to use, and has now gone live.
“When customers book, a picture of the driver is sent to the app.
“They can also track the progress of the taxi and will be told its registration and make.
“It gives people using our taxi service extra reassurance.
Police have made 115 arrests across the North East as part of Operation Sanctuary, with 19 people charged.
A leaflet sent to taxi firms and drivers by officers involved says: “Some victims are transported in taxis to addresses where they are sexually assaulted or raped.
“We also know some men have posed as taxi drivers and picked up women who have then been sexually assaulted.
“We need the help of all legitimate taxi drivers to stop this criminal behaviour.”
Anyone with any information or concerns is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting ‘Operation Sanctuary’, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Advice and support is also available via Victim Support on 0845 277 0977 or Childline on 0800 1111.
Dial-A-Cab’s app can be found by searching for Dial-A-Cab South Shields on Google Play for android phones or the Apple store for iPhones.
The danger of a passenger getting into a minicab outside a night venue, driven by a driver with no PHV license, no adequate insurance, is now at an all time high.
There are an estimated 65,000 licensed private hire drivers, but there are also thousands of second hand minicabs out there every night being used by drivers with no TfL license, no background or police checks, many of these vehicles remain unregistered and are untraceable.
It is not a requirement to be a TfL licensed PHV driver, or either a fit and proper person to buy a second hand minicab, complete with licence roundel.
On street enforcement and compliance continue to harass licensed Taxi drivers. Sexual predators are left unhindered to illegally plying for hire outside a bevy of night venues, searching for victims as the statistic for minicab related sexual attacks escalate an alarming rate.
Spotted in the Bayswater area
WHERE ARE TFL ON STREET ENFORCEMENT?
Not in Central London, obviously!
Below is a report which emphasises the poor response from TfL’s policing and on street enforcement.
A Bromley man has been banned from driving after posing as a minicab driver and inviting two women into his car.
Rajalingham Paheerathan, 35, was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 16.
Paheerathan was spotted by Transport for London (TfL) officers in Uxbridge High Road last year having a conversation with a woman before letting her and friend into his vehicle.
The TfL officers soon established the journey was not pre-booked and Paheerathan was illegally touting for trade.
He pleaded guilty to plying for hire and having no operator licence and was ordered to pay £370 in fines and court costs, and was also disqualified from the road for three months.
Director of Enforcement and On Street Operations at TfL Steve Burton said: “This demonstrates that we take illegal touting and other illegal private hire activities extremely seriously.
“An unbooked minicab is just a stranger’s car and these drivers pose a real threat to public safety.”
The case comes as TfL continues to crackdown on “bogus and unsafe” drivers in London, with Paheerathan one of 25 successful prosecutions in the last 12 months.
source: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/
Editorial Comment.
“Director of Enforcement and On Street Operations at TfL Steve Burton said: “This demonstrates that we take illegal touting and other illegal private hire activities extremely seriously.”
Amazed that TPH compliance had to go all the way to Uxbridge High Street, to find one of the 25 successful prosecutions, to bolster the figures after complaints they are not doing their job.
You only have to have a stroll along Coventry Street and Wardour Street Steve and you could double your annual tout prosecutions in an evening!
We would also question these figures given by the New Shopper as the figures we obtained show 24 successful prosecutions in 36 months.
Even so, if we got it wrong and the new shopper is right 25 successful prosecutions in 12 months is still shocking.
With an estimated 10,000 licensed minicab vehicles being driven by unlicensed drivers, we should be seeing at least 24 a week.
Recent statistics show an alarming rise in minicab related sexual assaults including rapes. The fact that anyone can purchase a fully licensed minicab complete with TfL roundel, with no requirement to be a licensed driver, or even a fit and proper person, is making it extremely easy for sexual predators to find fresh victims.
As we’ve seen this week, the streets of Central London are a nightly free for all with hardly any chance of being caught by cab enforcement or police. The odds of being caught for touting in any 12 month period (given these latest figures) are 24/10,000. Absolutely no deterrent at all.
Perhaps the trouble lies with the licensing administrators lack of enthusiasm to do the job properly, tackling the wrong targets and harassing licensed Taxis for petty administrative failures, while serious criminals escape detection through pisspoor in street enforcement.
This is a problem that has been enshrined in TfL on street enforcement for many years. Perhaps it’s time for new hands on the tiller as the old ones don’t seem to be steering in the right direction.
The old saying the buck stops here comes to mind Steve.
A LACK of nightlife in Fareham is hitting taxi drivers’ pockets, says the town’s Hackney Taxi Association.
The group claims that since Chicago Rock Cafe closed down last summer, they are suffering financially as they have not seen the same number of fares.
In particular, they say sailors from HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan are choosing to go to Gosport, or catch the ferry from there to Gunwharf Quays for a night out, instead of spending time – and money – in Fareham.
Mel Chorlton, from the association, said: ‘There really is no hope for Fareham, and I fear that whatever Fareham Borough Council does now, it will be too late.
‘The government are telling everyone that the recession is over and things are on the incline, however, Fareham is getting progressively worse.’
Mrs Chorlton criticised the work the council has done to stimulate night-time trade and said the opening of Whiteley Shopping Centre with its restaurants has only made the situation worse.
She added: ‘It seems that all surrounding areas can move with the times, generate the income for their villages and towns, but Fareham constantly drags its heels.
‘This is a grim picture for taxi drivers in Fareham as it is governed that taxi drivers cannot rank outside their borough.
‘I fear if this is left for much longer, then no day will be worth working in Fareham.’
Chicago Rock Cafe closed down in May 2013 when its owners Atmosphere Bars and Clubs went into administration.
Ward councillors Paul Whittle and Katrina Trott said the closure had nothing to do with the council and that the town did have night-life, such as the Slug and Lettuce and The Crown Inn.
Cllr Whittle said many residents objected to the anti-social behaviour from revellers outside Chicago Rock Cafe when it was open and he would welcome another type of business, not a nightclub, to open there.
The premises that Chicago Rock Cafe occupied, next to the bus station, is empty.
‘Geo-fencing’ technology will let vehicles switch to electric in certain zones
Vehicles will become ‘zero emission’ as they travel on most polluted streets
All new taxis must be hybrid by 2018 under new plans by Boris Johnson
Part of a wider scheme to tackle air pollution and vastly reduce emission
Taxis and buses will automatically switch to electric mode when they enter some of Britain’s most polluted streets as part of a new scheme to eradicate emissions.
New technology will allow the vehicles to switch to ‘zero emission’ mode when they enter areas at risk of high air pollution such as Oxford Street in London.
It comes as London Mayor Boris Johnson revealed plans for all taxis in the capital to be hybrid in four years’ time.
New ‘geo-fencing’ technology will allow taxis and buses to switch to ‘zero emission’ mode when they enter areas at risk of high air pollution such as Bond Street and Oxford Street in central London (file picture)
By 2016, there will be 1,700 hybrid buses in London and by January 1, 2018 it will be compulsory for all new cabs to be ‘zero emission capable’.
Matthew Pencharz, the mayor’s environment advisor, said the advanced technology would allow vehicles to recognise when they are in highly-polluted areas, prompting them to switch to the greener mode. Additionally, consider balancement de pneus de camion lourds to maintain balance and stability on the road, enhancing safety and efficiency.
He told The Times: ‘With geo-fencing technology, when the vehicle crosses a particular line, it will go into electric mode. Some of our buses in future will also be doing this.
‘The technology can be responsive, so if one bit of town is more polluted than another, then the buses and taxis would switch to electric mode where the pollution was worse.’
He said the technology could be fitted to private cars in ‘due course’.
Although the exact area where taxis and buses will ‘switch’ to electric mode has not yet been confirmed, it will no doubt include the most polluted roads in London as highlighted by a study earlier this year.
In February, figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs claimed that traffic travelling along the A302 – known as Grosvenor Place – which runs adjacent to Buckingham Palace, produced the highest levels of the toxic gas at an average of 152 micrograms per cubic metre of air in 2012.
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London Mayor Boris Johnson has revealed plans for all taxis in the capital to be hybrid in four years’ time
The study also found that Oxford Street was highly polluted, registering at an average of 150 micrograms near Marble Arch, while Trafalgar Square has an average of 138 micrograms of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre of air.
Park Lane, Knightsbridge and Covent Garden were also all found to have seriously high levels of the pollutant.
The latest news comes after it was announced that drivers of diesel cars could face a congestion charge-style daily fee of about £11.50 to enter central London, in a bid to further tackle air pollution.
The payment could come if diesels fail to meet tough EU emission targets when an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) is introduced in central London from 2020.
The zone would have the same boundaries as the Congestion Charge zone, and only diesel vehicles that meet the Euro 6 emissions standard would be exempt from the charge.
Motoring organisations have had a mixed reaction to the plans, with some unhappy about the possible charge.
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Findings released in February revealed the most polluted roads in central London, with Oxford Street, Park Lane and Buckingham Palace being among the polluted hotspots in the capita
Most polluted street in the world: London’s Oxford Street
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: ‘This isn’t quite a miss-selling scandal, but for years ministers took their eye off the ball and encouraged drivers to buy diesels to help fight climate change.
‘That has come at a cost: local air pollution. Today 10 million cars in Britain are powered by diesel engines – a third of the total.
‘Part of the problem is regulation. In laboratory conditions diesel cars have met strict test criteria. Unfortunately that performance hasn’t been matched on the road and now we have a significant health issue because of the dash for diesel.’
AA president Edmund King added: ‘It is somewhat ironic that cars are banned from the most polluted street in London – Oxford Street. The vehicles that have most effect on air quality in London are buses, taxis and trucks. You can also click for more info on truck related parts, here!
‘The first move should be to target the gross polluters and get them off our roads in order to have a greater and more immediate impact on air quality.’
![The speed cameras on the M25 [PICS: Google Maps]](/resources/images/3190731/?htype=0)
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