Taxi Driver Online

Matlock Mercury

July 26, 2006

HEADLINE: Drivers flouting taxi restrictions

TAXI drivers in Matlock are "sticking their fingers up at the council" by flouting new waiting regulations in the bus station car park, claims a bus driver. He alleges that cabs are regularly queuing back under the bridge - despite new signs threatening £70 fines for doing so. And he says the council is doing nothing about it.

Last week the Mercury reported that taxi drivers had slammed the new regulations, saying it could force them out of business. And the bus driver, who does not wish to be named, says they are taking no notice of the signs, erected last week. He says he rang the council to report that seven or eight cars were parked illegally in the bus station last Thursday, but was told nobody was available to come down. "It seems they can put the signs up but don't have anyone to police them," he said. "The buses and taxis do not mix down there. "It's a ridiculous situation and I have had real trouble going down the slip road, but all you get is abuse from the drivers. "I used to be a taxi driver myself, not in Matlock, so I know that it's not an easy life, but it seems they are just sticking their fingers up at the council. "Today was the first day of the new order, so the council should have had people down here sticking £70 fines on all the taxis in here, but when I rang them up they just passed me from pillar to post and then admitted they did not have anyone to police it." The signs were erected last week in light of concerns about danger to pedestrians. Derbyshire Dales District Council maintains the regulations are not new, and the signs reinforce how the taxi rank should be operating.

John Morris, head of community services at the district council said: "The issue is one of public safety. "Regular inspections and enforcement will be carried out by car park wardens."
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