By KAYEHENRYN
A FRUSTRATED taxi driver is off the road after his £21,000 vehicle failed safety checks.
Barry Benjamin, who works for Whitburn Taxis, bought the Vauxhall Vivaro mini-cab to enable him to ferry up to eight passengers booking through Whitburn Taxis.http://www.southtynesidetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2146813&SectionID=1111

But South Tyneside Council has condemned the vehicle after it failed safety checks in line with vehicle licensing policy.

Mr Benjamin, of Wellands Court, Whitburn, is now out of pocket having paid for the vehicle, insurance, road tax, the safety test and not being able to earn money from it.

He said: "I am down on money, as I am having to turn down work.

"It is supposed to be on the road.

"Whitburn Taxis has to phone out other drivers while my taxi is just sitting there doing nothing."

Taxi office manager Mr Benjamin claims the vehicle failed due to access to back-row seating being provided by a fold down seat in front, despite an identical model securing a taxi licence by the council.

But the council says the vehicle, already on the road, has been adapted and the design layout would provide emergency access to an exit door. Until adaptations are made, Mr Benjamin, 30, is prevented from using the vehicle on the road for private hire.

He said: "They say this seating is not allowed in a mini-bus, as it would cause problems for a person sitting in the middle in the back row.

"The council says a person sitting there would not be able to get out.

"But it is exactly the same as it would be for three people sitting in the back of a three-door car."

A council spokesman said: "South Tyneside's policy, which is in line with that operated by many other local authorities, is supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and aims to ensure that safety of passengers, pedestrians and other road users is paramount.

"For safety purposes, people using taxis must have ready access to an exit door.

"In these particular circumstances, passengers attempting to vacate Mr Benjamin's vehicle in an emergency would have to tip forward the backs of the other seats in order to make a safe escape."

She added: "Mr Benjamin has been advised that he should make similar adaptations to his own vehicle then continue with his licence application."