Bostonmess
03-06-2004, 05:21 AM
A FOOTBALL-mad Taxi driver is refusing to back down in a row over a St George’s Cross emblazoned onto the bonnet of his vehicle.
Darren Rewcastle, of Egremont, has been ordered by licensing bosses at Copeland council to remove the painted-on England flag from his Ford Mondeo because it contravenes the council’s terms and conditions for hackney carriage vehicle licenses.
They have also told him to take the accompanying chequered flag design off his taxi.
But football fan Mr Rewcastle says he does not believe he has done anything wrong and won’t back down.
And he is even prepared to surrender his taxi licence plate until the matter is resolved.
Mr Rewcastle, who has been a taxi driver for 12 years, said the designs were part of the package when he bought the Ł13,000 Mondeo Zetec from the County Garage at Lillyhall in November.
“It was a promotional car with the St George’s Cross and chequered flags. I liked the design. I haven’t just added it because England is in Euro 2004 and I’m not a racist. It’s just that’s the design that came with the car. I am quite proud of it.”
The council’s licensing department wrote to him last week saying it had been reported that his taxi was displaying a chequered flag and St George Cross and that he had seven days, until today to remove them.
Its terms and conditions say only the council’s licence plate and stripes should be displayed, but Mr Rewcastle argues the flags cannot be classed as signs or advertisements which are banned from taxis, and they have not increased the cost of his vehicle insurance.
“My car is in no way advertising or likely to advertise and no further stickers or transfers will be added,” he said.
“My car complies to every standard. I will not back down, even if it means suspending my plate. It’s not contravening any rules.”
If Mr Rewcastle’s plate is suspended, it means he cannot drive the Mondeo, but will still be able to work as a taxi driver in Copeland.
He has put his case to the council and the legal department said yesterday it was considering the matter.
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.asp?id=103406
Darren Rewcastle, of Egremont, has been ordered by licensing bosses at Copeland council to remove the painted-on England flag from his Ford Mondeo because it contravenes the council’s terms and conditions for hackney carriage vehicle licenses.
They have also told him to take the accompanying chequered flag design off his taxi.
But football fan Mr Rewcastle says he does not believe he has done anything wrong and won’t back down.
And he is even prepared to surrender his taxi licence plate until the matter is resolved.
Mr Rewcastle, who has been a taxi driver for 12 years, said the designs were part of the package when he bought the Ł13,000 Mondeo Zetec from the County Garage at Lillyhall in November.
“It was a promotional car with the St George’s Cross and chequered flags. I liked the design. I haven’t just added it because England is in Euro 2004 and I’m not a racist. It’s just that’s the design that came with the car. I am quite proud of it.”
The council’s licensing department wrote to him last week saying it had been reported that his taxi was displaying a chequered flag and St George Cross and that he had seven days, until today to remove them.
Its terms and conditions say only the council’s licence plate and stripes should be displayed, but Mr Rewcastle argues the flags cannot be classed as signs or advertisements which are banned from taxis, and they have not increased the cost of his vehicle insurance.
“My car is in no way advertising or likely to advertise and no further stickers or transfers will be added,” he said.
“My car complies to every standard. I will not back down, even if it means suspending my plate. It’s not contravening any rules.”
If Mr Rewcastle’s plate is suspended, it means he cannot drive the Mondeo, but will still be able to work as a taxi driver in Copeland.
He has put his case to the council and the legal department said yesterday it was considering the matter.
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.asp?id=103406