Source: This is North Devon.co.uk
AN APPLEDORE taxi driver who was the target of a council sting says the local authority has destroyed his business and left his reputation in tatters.
Darren Screech, who has held a licence for 15 years, pleaded guilty at Barnstaple Magistrates Court in June to using a private hire vehicle without the necessary licences from Torridge District Council.
But, he says the situation would never have happened if the council had not tried to force him to put a sticker on the side of his silver Volkswagen Transporter which he used for long haul trips to the airport.
The council said the stickers, which bear the authority’s logos, were introduced two-and-a-half years ago after consultation with the hire car trade following concerns that there was no identification on the vehicles.
The self adhesive stickers, for private car vehicles, are meant to be put on the driver’s door of the vehicle and smaller ones at the front and back and are a condition of the TDC licence.
Mr Screech, of Staddon Road, said: “I have had a licence for 15 years. I started my own business 11 years ago running a private hire car and four years later expanded to do an airport run. No advertising was allowed on either car.
“The business was running successfully until late 2007 after the council introduced the green stickers.
“I agreed to put them on the local car, but didn’t want to put them on the airport car as people wanted to be picked up in an unmarked car. They didn’t want to show people they were going away on holiday and their house would be empty. Corporate businesses also requested unmarked cars.
“I put this argument to the council, but was told I had to abide by it.”
Mr Screech says he was told about an alternative route of licensing the vehicle with a different company, but did not have the £3,100 needed in his bank account to qualify.
He still refused to put the Torridge stickers on his car and so the council would not re-licence him.
He said: “I asked if they would make an exemption for the airport car, but they wouldn’t listen.”
He said he continued to work for local customers to try and save enough money to go down the other route but was caught by the council in what it described as an “elaborate sting” when undercover officers and Barnstaple traffic police hired Mr Screech’s vehicle for a trip to Bristol Airport.
Mr Screech said: “I have two kids to support and am having to live on savings.
“I don’t have the business any more. The damage is done and I won’t be able to start up again. It is not easy to find jobs in the current economic climate.
“Not only have they taken my business away, but they have tarred my reputation – it is like a dictatorship.
“I have done nothing wrong, my car has always been 100% safe and at the end of the day, this has all been over a sticker. I feel bullied by Torridge District Council and am very angry.”
The council said Mr Screech had been sent several reminders as the stickers are a condition of the licence.
