1 April, 2010

A New taxi drivers in St Edmundsbury will be the first in the county to have passed a driver assessment and preparation course, before being granted a licence.

The course for new taxi drivers is being run by St Edmundsbury Borough Council and the training is provided by Suffolk County Council's road safety team. The course covers both theory and practical training, including customer care, disability awareness and legal responsibilities.

Hilary Workman, Licensing Manager at St Edmundsbury Borough Council said; "We had 62 applications from new taxi drivers last year. The job involves long hours and a lot of concentration. The course aims to ensure a good standard of driving among the borough's Hackney Cab and private hire car drivers and give confidence to drivers and passengers alike"

Councillor Guy McGregor, Suffolk County Council's Portfolio Holder for Road Transport and Planning said; "The county council hopes that this service will be taken up by other authorities in the county. Drivers who pass the assessment will receive a certificate and a cab badge so that their customers can see they have been through an approved training course and have reached a certain standard of knowledge and competence." 

For more information visit www.suffolkroadsafe.net 

Suffolk County Council councillor contacts  

• Guy McGregor, Portfolio Holder for Roads, Transport and Planning, Tel: 01379 668434, Mobile: 07545 423800, Email: guy.mcgregor@suffolk.gov.uk 
• Caroline Page, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Roads and Transport, Tel: 01394 388903, Mobile: 07545 423837, Email: caroline.page@suffolk.gov.uk 
• Sandy Martin, Leader of the Labour group, Tel: 01473 422186, Mobile: 07769 720644, Email: sandy.martin@suffolk.gov.uk 
• Andrew Stringer, Leader of the Green and Independent group, Tel: 01449 780339, Mobile: 07545 423842, Email: andrew.stringer@suffolk.gov.uk 

Media contacts  

• Marianne Hulland, Corporate Communications Manager St Edmundsbury Borough Council Marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk 01284 757034  
• Helen Dodman, Suffolk County Council, Press Officer, Tel: 01473 264397, Mobile: 07850 918951, Email: helen.dodman@suffolk.gov.uk

Ends

Issued by Sally Easton Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757033. Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk