A special licence for vehicles to transport social care and special education clients around the town is being proposed by Ipswich Borough Council in a bid to cut red tape and improve safety.
At present, Suffolk County Council uses the private sector for this type of transport and can use unlicensed vehicles and drivers. However, this loophole in the law is being closed from January 2008 and the Borough Council has the job of sorting out the new licensing arrangements.
The Borough has long been worried about the use of unlicensed vehicles and drivers as these customers are vulnerable and often need assistance from a driver to get from their residence to the vehicle. It has campaigned with other districts for tougher safety measures across the county and welcomes the new legislation.
However, it recognises that many vehicles used in this way are specially adapted and now proposes introducing a special restricted class of vehicle licence to deal with them. This would cut application times and bring in mandatory CRB checks on drivers.
Councillor Paul West, Ipswich Borough Council’s transport portfolio-holder, said: “We must put these vulnerable groups first. It is essential that people of all ages can rely on safe transport to and from day care centres and the like. But we also want to make licence applications straightforward and tailor-made for this kind of work. I am glad that we have found a solution that will work in everybody’s best interests.”