Guide dog ban taxi firm wins back licence (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)
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Guide dog ban taxi firm wins back licence
6:38pm Wednesday 8th August 2007 in News By Samrana Hussain
LEFT STRANDED: Pensioner Brenda Midgeley and her guide dog, Lucy
A TAXI firm which lost its licence after refusing to pick up a blind pensioner because she had a guide dog has successfully challenged the ruling.
Nelson-based Four Star Taxis had the decision overturned by Reedley magistrates after the court ruled that it could not be proved that the taxi belonged to the firm.
Returning the firm's licence, magistrates said they fully believed Brenda Midgeley, who had complained that the taxi driver had refused to allow the guide dog into the taxi.
The firm was stripped of its licence by the council last December after Mrs Midgeley, 66, of Bedfordshire Avenue, Burnley, and her seven-year-old guide dog, Lucy, were left stranded in the rain at the Carters' and Motormen's Club, Nelson.
Mrs Midgeley, who only has residual vision after losing her sight 16 years ago, had been organising a Christmas party for people with sight difficulties at the club when she called for a taxi.
She said the driver refused to allow her to travel because guide dog Lucywould get hairs on the seats.
Following the incident, Kitsar Iqbal, of Four Star Taxis, insisted they would continue with their policy of refusing to carry guide dogs because they left hairs on seats.
The firm was criticised for this stance by the Pendle Taxi Association and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.
The policy even broke the Disability Discrimination Act.
However, at the hearing magistrates upheld the company's appeal after the firm, represented by Southerns Solicitors, provided evidence to the court and magistrates said they could not be satisfied the taxi was one from the firm.
Mr and Mrs Midgeley both attended court on Thursday, June 21 to give evidence for the council, but were not available for comment.
A spokesperson for the Colne and District Blind Society said they were shocked by the incident.
Mildred Wightman, chairman of the society, said: "I think it was shocking that it happened, that they refused to pick her up.
"She should not have been left stranded like that."
