After numerous attempts to get a statement out of TfL over the Corona Virus outbreak at the NSL inspection centre (which has been closed for the last ten days, finally, Graham Robinson has made a statement.
TFL NOTICE 03/21
Staples Corner (NSL) Vehicle Inspection Centre will re-open on Tuesday 19 January.
The Staples Corner site was closed as a precautionary measure after some staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
We are confident that the safety measures implemented at all inspection sites mean that licensees who attended Staples Corner would not be considered to have had “contact” with any members of staff, therefore no further action is required by licensees.
The vehicle licensing inspection sites are operating in line with government guidance with appropriate safety measures in place, including: social distancing markers, hand sanitiser stations, personal protective equipment for staff, ventilation of vehicles and limits on contact between staff and customers who are asked to wear face coverings.
In addition, all sites undergo regular cleaning and the Staples Corner site has undergone a further deep clean before it reopens.
It remains the case that any licensee, regardless of the circumstances, who experiences COVID-19 symptoms should follow guidance on testing and self- isolation.
Vehicle licensing inspection booking lines – 3-month trial of weekend operation:
If you are the owner or registered keeper of a licensed vehicle, the quickest and most efficient way to make a booking for a vehicle inspection remains the online booking portal.
The online portal allows you to book or reschedule an appointment at your own convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The rest of the statement can be found here👇🏼
TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT:
Again it seems TfL are sweeping any responsibility under their carpet.
In Robinson’s Statement he says: We are confident that the safety measures implemented at all inspection sites mean that licensees who attended Staples Corner would not be considered to have had “contact” with any members of staff, therefore no further action is required by licensees.
This is not correct and not what NSL staff told garage staff who attended the centre with vehicles the week of the outbreak.
They were advised to go home and self isolate for ten days....The garage I use, closed on this advice and all their staff was sent home to isolate.
As far I I know, no attempt was made by NSL or TfL to contact owner drivers who attended Staples Corner the week leading up to the confirmed outbreak.
In the interest of safety all NSL centres should be closed and Taxi licence plates should be given extensions until safety can be guaranteed by TfL.
Last year, Taxi licence plates were extended for six months but because the extension wasn’t planned properly, it is now causing a back log effecting bookings. The reason for the mess TfL are now in, they only gave the extension to a certain group of the trade, therefore when that groups extension expired, it caused an overlap, creating a massive back log. The solution was simple....give the whole trade the extension and voilà...no over lap, no back log.
But then TfL don’t do simple common sense solutions.
Also where cabs haven’t been working Sadiq Khan has recently reminded drivers, they can take up to a two year break, where they don’t need to plate a vehicle, if they are not working
But this has caused more questions than answers:
The main question being, if the vehicle takes a year or two break, how will this affect its total life span, will it be given a responding extension, adding a year or two extension on its working life ???
We have of course put this question to TfL, but we are not holding our breath waiting for an answer, going on Graham Robinsons previous record.
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