Council clamps down on taxi and private hire drivers urinating and causing nuisance outside park

Image credits: Dudley Council (circle) / Google Maps

Dudley Council has taken swift action against taxi and private hire drivers congregating in Woodside, Dudley.

Residents complained that licensed vehicles had been congregating in Avenue Road by Woodside Park, causing a nuisance to residents, and in at least one instance, urinating in the adjacent park.

Officers from Dudley Council’s waste enforcement team undertook a joint operation with West Midlands Police to target the licenced vehicles (both private hire and hackney carriage) using Avenue Road.

As part of the operation, one driver was suspended for not displaying the required private hire signage, whilst another was advised about their actions. The third vehicle was registered as a private hire outside of the borough but was still advised regarding the reason for the operation.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said: “Residents brought this to our attention in April and we took it very seriously, people should not feel intimidated or unwelcome on their own street or in their local park.

“This joint operation with our police colleagues shows that we can and will take action. We will continue to monitor the results of this intervention and if necessary carry out further enforcement activities in the area.”