Pendle Hackney cab driver calls on colleagues to help residents collect essential items

Ali Ahmed contacted Leader Times Newspapers to say people who do not drive were finding it increasingly difficult to get out to do essential food shopping and other business.

He said: "As a Pendle Hackney driver I and a handful of drivers been operating in designated Hackney Bays in Pendle.

"Colne taxi rank has become neglected recently, and this is at a time when bus routes have been restricted as far as Skipton and Barnoldswick.

"Due to the coronavirus outbreak some Pendle taxi operators are not operating as per the government guidelines for stopping indoors.

"However, since the weekend people in key worker fields and other workforces with various skills are finding this difficult because of bus restrictions. People are only coming out for essentials when they need transporting.

"We need to be out in force to help and fight this disease as a community."

Mr Ahmed also called on the council to try and source protective gloves and face masks for drivers.

He added: "I know everyone's health is important and that of loved ones, and as a public hire driver I would urge fellow drivers to come out as good citizens and work in limited times if needed.

"The vulnerable have no way forward, isolation from family and loved ones is not helping, and having limited access for their essentials is a main factor in this.

"We need to pull through this as a whole and play a part with all our different skills. More drivers need to come out and help."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.