COUNCILS across the region are “unprepared” for changes to legislation designed to ensure equal treatment for disabled taxi users.

Under changes to the Equality Act brought in this April, taxi drivers face a fine of up to £1,000 if they refuse to transport wheelchair users or attempt to charge them extra. But the law only applies to drivers registered on council lists of wheelchair accessible taxis, known as Section 167 lists.

According to research by disability activist Doug Paulley, only 11 per cent of councils in England, Scotland and Wales have created a list, although 30 per cent of councils, including Hambleton, Harrogate and York are expected to have the list completed by the Government’s recommended deadline of October.

Mr Paulley, who submitted Freedom of Information requests to the councils to obtain the information said 59 per cent of local authorities have no firm plans to hit the deadline, including 26 per cent who have no plans to create a list at all.

Paulley and charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, which campaigns for disability rights, called on councils to take more action.

According to his research, Hartlepool Borough Council and Richmondshire District Council had no plans in place to create a list.

But Ian Harrison, Hartlepool Borough Council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said they did expect to have one in place by the October deadline and added that any driver who refused to carry a wheelchair passenger could already have their licence revoked.

“The council is in the process of considering what would constitute a suitable ‘wheelchair accessible’ vehicle and once this exercise has been concluded, our list will be published before the October deadline,” he said.

“It is worth noting that we have always had a policy stipulating that if a driver refused to carry a wheelchair passenger without good reason, they could be brought in front of the council’s licensing committee and risk having their licence revoked.”

Richmondshire District Council was contacted for a comment by The Northern Echo, but was unable to provide information prior to deadline.

Nic Bungay, director of campaigns at Muscular Dystrophy UK, which lobbied for years for the law change, said: “Taxis are not a luxury for disabled people – they often represent the only way to get from A to B when public transport isn’t accessible.

“Doug’s research comprehensively demonstrates how many councils are failing to ensure that disabled passengers are not penalised.

“We need them all to implement lists now as per the government’s recommendations, and for the Department for Transport to promote the lists as a matter of urgency.”

Mr Paulley carried out the research following a Select Committee report into the Equality Act 2010 on disability. He said: “It is disappointing that the Government’s intent in bringing in this legislation is being undermined by the failure of many councils to undertake the required office work, meaning that taxi drivers can continue to discriminate against wheelchair users with impunity.

“While conducting this research, it became clear that many councils simply didn’t think to create them until prompted.

“I recommend disabled people and their allies raise the issue with their local council.”