Taxi Driver Online

New taxi ranks for Kimberley and Beeston


NEW 24-hour taxi ranks are planned in a bid to give cabbies more business and make life easier for shoppers.

In Beeston, daily taxi fares are said to be down by 50%, and drivers say the closure of businesses around the Styring Street rank has affected their trade.

The new hackney carriage ranks, proposed by Broxtowe Borough Council, would be located at Villa Street in Beeston by Sainsbury's car park and at Station Road in Kimberley.

There are currently no taxi ranks in Kimberley – the nearest is in Wood Street, Eastwood.

Cab Line in Beeston suggested a new rank be created at Sainsbury's.

Its managing director, Jim McFaul, said: "There's a purpose because of the amount of people using Sainsbury's. It will definitely help."

Beeston has another two taxi ranks, in Station Road and Chilwell Road, but under proposals for the new Beeston Town Centre plan and extended tram network, all three ranks would be lost.

Mr McFaul said the Styring Street rank provides less trade following the closure of nearby businesses, including Somerfield.

He said the Chilwell Road rank was not practical.

"It's on a dead-end road. Taxis have to do a three-point turn, there's no turning point," he said.

In Kimberley, taxis line up at the back of Sainsbury's car park but the supermarket has said this must stop.

James Spencer, of A2B Cars in Kimberley, said: "There are not many places in Kimberley where you could put it (the taxi rank). To be honest you want it as close to Sainsbury's and the precinct as you can."

It will cost about £650 to create the two taxi ranks.

Before being introduced, the proposals will be advertised in a local newspaper for a 28-day consultation.

If no objections are made the taxi ranks can be implemented. If objections are received, further meetings will be held before a final decision is made.

Beeston Cap which is about 6 miles outside Nottingham.

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