Taxi Driver Online

The Sentinel (Stoke)

June 29, 2007 Friday

We can't live like this

Businesses say a trial scheme to curb violence by moving a private hire pick-up point has had a detrimental effect on trade.

Landlords and managers from pubs, restaurants and venues in High Street, Newcastle, say customers are also confused by the experiment.

They have joined forces to write a letter objecting to the changes, and asking for the trial to end.

The problems stretch back almost three years, when High Street was made a no-go zone for cars on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, always the busiest nights of the week.

Bollards have since been added to reinforce the message.

The move led to private hire taxis congregating at the end of the High Street in a makeshift taxi rank, and spilling on to the Grosvenor roundabout on the A34.

Last December, the Town Centre Public Realm project, which includes representatives from Staffordshire Police, Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council, addressed the issue.

They asked for revellers to make their way to Hassell Street, where taxi marshals would assist them into hackney carriages, or wait for a pre-booked private cab to turn up.

But businesses say it means people can't have a door-to-door service.

Eleven traders have signed a letter to Newcastle Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and the police detailing their worries.

Gary Lawson, manager of The Square and associated car park, says the no-go order means people can't even get to the cinema car park for late-night showings.

He said: "I can't see any positives come from it. It's a health and safety issue with people having to park further away."

Traders have backed an alternative plan. In it, cars and taxis would be allowed to come into High Street South, in a one-way system via Barracks Road and Hassell Street every night of the week. Cars would exit the town by either Paradise Street or the Grosvenor Roundabout.

Mike Fallows, owner of Brassingtons, who wrote the letter, said: "Taxis and customers' cars would then be able to drop off and pick up outside the various establishments.

"So far these trials have proved problematic, partly by their inconsistency and the confusion with customers as to what measures are in force at any given time.

"We would strongly advice that these trials cease."

No-one from Staffordshire Council was yesterday available for comment.
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