Latest news with #BhupinderGakhal
BBC News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Wolverhampton taxi passengers can check driver's licence on phone
A council is making driver licence checks accessible by smartphone to provide increased security for taxi and private hire of Wolverhampton Council has introduced contactless driver ID cards so passengers can view a digital version of their licence by tapping the than 15,000 drivers licensed by the council have been given the new ID cards and have been tapped more than 40,000 times, it technology aims to provide passengers with reassurance about their driver's identity and confirm to them whether their private hire or taxi licence is current and valid. Existing identity cards used by taxi and private hire drivers across the country can be copied and used fraudulently, the council new ID cards include a hologram, optically variable inks and guilloche patterns, similar to those seen on banknotes and will be in the front windscreen on the passenger's side of the vehicle and customers can tap through the glass before they get the licence status shows as invalid, they are advised not to get in the vehicle and report the driver to the Bhupinder Gakhal said the technology made "checking your driver's licence and identity far simpler than calling the council"."Not only do the new cards offer extra reassurance, they are also more environmentally friendly and prevent the need for tens of thousands of plastic licences to be printed every year," he said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tettenhall Pool and East Park water play area open for summer
Two council water attractions in Wolverhampton have opened for the Pool and East Park water play are welcomed their first visitors at the weekend, reopening after the winter period and safety city council is encouraging users to enjoy the water safely and be considerate to local Bhupinder Gakhal said: "It's wonderful that we have two great water play facilities in the city and I'd like to remind people of the importance of wearing suitable clothes and shoes while enjoying the city's water attractions and do bring hats and sunscreen on sunny days." "Please also be considerate to local residents when you visit the pool or the water splash play and take your litter away with you," the cabinet member for resident services added."Remember, if you're bringing your dog, please make sure they are kept under control, on a lead and out of the water."The attractions traditionally reopen during the late May Bank Holiday weekend and remain open throughout the summer before closing again in September. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wolverhampton Shopmobility equipment given away as service ends
Free mobility equipment including scooters and wheelchairs are to be given to Shopmobility customers and veterans in Wolverhampton ahead of the city shop unit service, which rents a range of equipment, has seen a significant drop in users since the pandemic, with an average of just 13 customers a week over the past few years, the city council closure - a £29,000 saving - was announced last year as part of a major review of council services as the authority looked to save more than £ service will stop over a three-month period, starting from this week, the council added. The service operated between 09:30 and 14:30 BST with customers only permitted to use motorised equipment within the city centre ring customers can be given equipment, they have more choice about the times they visit the city and the locations they can travel to, the local authority equipment to be donated includes, motorised scooters and wheelchairs as well as manual wheelchairs with items also being offered to military veterans via local charity the Staffordshire Regiment Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said the decision to end the service was not taken lightly."With increasing pressures on council budgets, we have to be realistic and unfortunately the service has not been well-used for a number of years," he said. "This is despite our efforts to promote it via a number of methods including direct contact with users and advertising to care homes and supported living organisations."Our other option was to significantly increase our fees and charges, but this would have a real impact on customers and be likely to further reduce the already low number of users." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Van used in fly-tipping in Wolverhampton crushed, says council
Van used for fly-tipping crushed, says council 14 minutes ago Share Save Shyamantha Asokan BBC News, West Midlands Share Save City of Wolverhampton Council Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal said the authority would "not hesitate" to crush a fly-tipping vehicle again if needed A van used for fly-tipping has been seized and crushed, the council said. City of Wolverhampton Council said the van had been used in an incident last July, where building materials were dumped in the Whitmore Reans neighbourhood. The council added that its officers had seized the vehicle this year, and its registered keeper had failed to claim it or pay a fine. "Fly-tipping costs Wolverhampton taxpayers around £300,000 a year and we will not tolerate it," councillor Bhupinder Gakhal said in a statement. He added that "this isn't the first time that we have used our powers to crush a vehicle used for fly-tipping" and "we will not hesitate to do it again if such selfish and criminal acts continue". In England, local authorities lead on investigating and clearing small-scale fly-tipping, as well as enforcing any penalties. The Environment Agency investigates some incidents that are on a large scale or carried out by organised gangs. Higher fines and drones Wolverhampton's council said the fly-tipping incident involving the van had been filmed by a resident and evidence had been submitted. It added that the waste had been dumped on land belonging to Wolverhampton Homes, a not-for-profit organisation that manages most of the city's council homes. The council said its environmental crime team located the van, which was not seen at the registered keeper's address, in a different part of the city in February. Further investigations into the fly-tipping incident were still ongoing, it said. Wolverhampton's council increased the maximum fine for fly-tippers from £400 to £1,000 earlier this year, in line with many other local authorities. It has also started using a drone to scan areas prone to fly-tipping. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
