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MP criticises rickshaws
TORY MP Mark Field believes rickshaw drivers have turned the West End street’s into a “dangerous free for all".
Mr Field, the MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said in a Westminster debate it was a “matter of when rather than if” a serious accident or fatality involving a London rickshaw took place.
Mr Field said he wanted to impose criminal records checks on rickshaw drivers, test their knowledge of London streets and also test the vehicles road safety.
He said: “Further anecdotal evidence suggests that riders include illegal immigrants, foreign students who are ignoring the terms under which they are in the country by working longer hours than allowed and others who – under any sensible licensing regime – would be considered unsuitable for this kind of work.”
He said: “I worry that it is now a matter of when rather than if a serious accident, perhaps even a fatality, will occur on one of the unlicensed rickshaws or pedicabs on London’s thoroughfares.”
Chris Smallwood, Chairman of the London Pedicab Operators Association said: “With regulation and powers of enforcement we believe that rogue operators would disappear, leaving a respectable and very positive contribution to life in London. |
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