Liverpool licensing officers suspend two wheelchair accessible taxis after SEN school safety inspection
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Liverpool City Council licensing enforcement officers have suspended two licensed hackney carriage vehicles and reported three drivers for offences following an inspection at a special educational needs (SEN) school in South Liverpool.
According to Liverpool City Council Licensing, enforcement officers attended the school after receiving reports of concerns surrounding the transportation of children who use wheelchairs. The inspection identified what the authority described as “significant safety issues” relating to hackney carriage vehicle (HCV) transport.
In a statement shared by Liverpool City Council Licensing, the authority said: “Yesterday, Enforcement Officers attended a SEN school in South Liverpool following reported concerns regarding the HCV transportation of children who use wheelchairs. Sadly, Officers identified significant safety issues, resulting in three drivers being reported for offences.”
The enforcement operation also led to two licensed vehicles being suspended from service. While the council has not released details of the specific offences or safety defects identified, the action highlights the scrutiny placed on wheelchair accessible transport used for vulnerable passengers, particularly children travelling to and from school.
The council reiterated its focus on standards, saying: “Passenger safety remains our priority.” The outcome serves as a reminder to licensed drivers and operators providing contracted school transport that wheelchair restraint systems, passenger securing procedures and vehicle compliance remain subject to enforcement checks.
