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Title of Report: Proposed Hackney Carriage stands – various locations in Southport
Report of:
P.A. Williams
Contact Officer:
Dave Marrin
Steve Johnston
Purpose of Report
To report the request for a number of new Hackney Carriage Stands at various locations in Southport and to seek Members views on their progression.
1.0 Introduction
1.1 As part of the newly introduced policy for the introduction of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire facilities, a request for a number of new Hackney Carriage Stands within Southport has been received from the North Sefton Hackney Carriage Association (NSHCA). Copies of their letters are attached as Annex A.
1.2 With the exception of the Union Street rank, which is currently being dealt with as part of the Lord Street Gardens scheme, all of the requested locations were forwarded onto the agreed list of consultees for their comments. Copies of plans for each of the proposed locations are shown as Annex B.
1.3 Consultation has been carried out with the following bodies:-
i) All Hackney Carriage Associations;
ii) All Private Hire Associations
iii) Merseyside Police
iv) Merseytravel
v) Sefton Access Officer
vi) Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Office
vii) All property owners/occupiers adjacent to each of the proposed locations.
2.0 Wright Street, Southport
2.1 Reason for request
2.1.1 The NSHCA have requested this location as they believe it “will fulfil two functions. At quiet times it will keep the overspill taxis from the Station Rank off the London Street cycle track, and at busy times the public if they so wish can walk over and use the taxis waiting on this new open rank”
2.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
2.2.2 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They object on the basis that there are currently waiting restrictions which they believe shouldn’t be removed. It should be noted that this area is currently used by blue badge drivers, therefore conversion to a Hackney Rank would cause no further obstruction than currently exists.
2.2.3 Two letters have been received from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association. The first, shown as Annex D, ignores the request for comments on NSHCA’s proposals, and simply counters their request by asking for the exact same locations to be used as ‘pick-up point’ for Private Hire vehicles. The second letter, shown as Annex D1, again makes no objection to the proposal, but now requests that ‘pick-up points’ be provided adjacent to the proposed Hackney Carriage rank locations. This request would have to be considered separately following Southport Area Committee Members’ decision as to whether to progress with the implementation of the Hackney Carriage Ranks or not.
2.2.4 A letter of objection and petition has been received from the Southport Station Taxi Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex E. The petition fails to explain why the signatories are against the rank, and the covering letter simply highlights the fact that the two Hackney Associations have not liaised with each other. Members should note that the consultee letters were sent out to all consultees on 17 January 2007, giving four weeks for comments to be returned. The penultimate paragraph claims that the Association’s membership have not had the opportunity to debate the issues. The views of Area Committee Members as to whether four weeks is insufficient would be welcomed by officers.
2.2.5 A letter of objection, shown as Annex F, has been received from Steve’s (Tyred ‘n Exhausted) Ltd, which is situated just to the east of the proposed Rank in Wright Street. The proprietor makes reference to current obstruction by Blue Badge drivers, and previous over-ranking problems when this area was used as a temporary Rank whilst resurfacing took place in the Station Car Park.
2.2.6 A letter of objection, shown as Annex G, has been received from a development company, which has recently purchased the former Café bar restaurant (5-13 Wright Street). This is situated directly opposite the proposed Rank. The developer is planning to seek approval for demolition of the existing premises and redevelopment of 13 apartments. The objector claims the location of the Rank would cause nuisance (noise and anti-social behaviour) for future tenants of the apartments.
2.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
2.3.1 Wright Street is a One-Way road which varies in width from 4.6 metres at the its junction with London Street, to 5.2 metres approximately 75 metres from London Street. At this wider point, Pay & Display spaces are provided on one side of the carriageway, with double yellow lines on the opposite side. At the narrower point, double yellow lines are provided on both sides of the carriageway.
2.3.2 Despite having double yellow lines at the location where the Hackney Carriage Stand is suggested, one side of the carriageway is continually utilised by Blue Badge holders. Whilst this reduces the width of available carriageway, there is still enough room for through traffic.
2.3.3 In addition to the blue badge holders, the landlord of the adjoining public house also illegally places large wheeled refuse bins on the carriageway to reserve space for delivery vehicles servicing the pub.
2.3.4 No comments have been received from the landlord of the pub.
2.3.5 It should be noted that this location was used approximately six months ago as a temporary Rank whilst the station car park was being resurfaced, and the station Hackney Rank was relocated.
2.4 Recommendation
2.4.1 It is recommended that the proposal is rejected given the fact that :-
a) Blue Badge parking would be displaced from an area where such provision is at a premium;
b) Southport Station Taxi Association, who would be the main beneficiaries of the facility, are objecting to the proposal;
c) An objection to the rank has been made by the adjoining business, which has already experienced problems with the temporary rank.
3.0 Waverley Street, Southport
3.1 Reason for request
3.1.1 The NSHCA have requested this location as they say “Waverley Street is the main exit point to Lord Street from the central West Street area. So to place a new night-time rank in Waverley Streetwould be an ideal location. It would reduce fares to destinations using Eastbank Street going east or Lord Street north.”
3.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
3.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that Waverley Street is regularly closed by Merseyside Police at night for public safety reasons, and that the narrow footway would cause loading problems for passengers.
3.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
3.2.3 Merseyside Police have objected to the Ranks in Waverley Street and also West Street. The Southport Town Centre Police Officer, Inspector Jim McLoughlin, stated :-
“From a policing perspective as the Inspector for the
Town Centre I would not like to see taxi ranks at the locations indicated. My reasons are based purely upon Crime and Disorder and Health and Safety. Waverley St in my opinion is the busiest thoroughfare during the Night Time economy period. As you know it is a road with limited space as it is and from 10pm onwards it is very busy in pedestrian traffic many of whom are in a drunken state. With the numerous licensed premises at this location it is also the main hotspot for incidents of violence and disorder in the Town Centre. If we allow vehicles along this road it limits the space available for pedestrians. When people in a drunken agitated state are confined in small spaces and begin to jostle or fall into each other due to intoxication that is when fights and disorder occur. Our tactics are currently that we temporarily close Waverley St to alleviate this situation and to also encourage the crowds to disperse quickly to reduce the likelihood of any confrontation. I believe the presence of these ranks will only serve to aggravate the situation. From a health and safety viewpoint the bars/clubs at this location virtually exit onto the road with a very small footway separating the road from the premises. With the likelihood of intoxicated people falling from the premises or disorder/violent situations often ushered quickly out of the premises onto the road. With vehicles passing if allowed then the possibility of a nasty accident is obvious.”
3.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
3.3.1 Waverley Street is a narrow (4.8 metres) carriageway in the heart of the Southport club / pub area. At most weekends, Merseyside Police have major problems with patrons from the clubs, pubs and restaurants in the area and have, over the last 12 months, regularly closed Hulme Street and Waverley Street late at night in an attempt to control anti-social behaviour.
3.3.2 Double yellow lines exist on both sides of the carriageway, which have been provided to keep the area free during the day to allow proper servicing of the adjoining properties. During the evening, the waiting restrictions remove obstructive parking, which hampers Police operations in relation to the anti-social behaviour.
3.4 Recommendation
3.4.1 Given the total lack of support by Merseyside Police, it is recommended that the proposal is rejected.
4.0 West Street, Southport
4.1 Reason for request
4.1.1 The NSHCA have requested relocating the current Hackney Carriage Stand from the east of Waverley Street to the west of Waverley Street. They state “ Because West Street is a one-way street we are receiving complaints from customers that have hired a taxi starting from the present rank if their destination is anywhere west of Nevill Street the metered fare is increased because the taxi has to drive along West Street to access Nevill Street and then back south-west along Lord Street.”
4.1.2 By moving the Stand to the west of Waverley Street, the driver could access Lord Street in a more direct manner, without driving north towards Nevill Street.
4.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
4.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that the new Rank would cause a chicane and that it would be placed at a location where waiting restrictions currently exist. It should be noted that following the recent removal of the Pay & Display bays on the south-easterly side of West Street, the width of West Street would now allow the provision of a Hackney Carriage Stand at this location.
4.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
4.2.3 As discussed in paragraph 3.2.3 Merseyside Police have offered objections to this proposed rank.
4.2.4 Two letters of objection, shown as Annexes H & I have been received from Lifes Motors, which is situated adjacent to the proposed rank on West Street. In the first letter (Annex H), the proprietor objects on the grounds that the rank would obstruct a previously locked gate onto the forecourt. Following a telephone conversation with him, which clarified that the rank could be reduced from 3 cabs to 2 cabs in order to move it from the second (apparently unused) access gate, the proprietor submitted a second letter of objection, shown as Annex I. This raised concern over potential vandalism to the premises, together with a decrease in the aesthetics of the area due to waiting customers for the taxis.
4.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
4.3.1 From a traffic management point of view, it is irrelevant which side of the Waverley Street junction the Hackney Stand is located, as parking would be prohibited on the opposite side at each location, thus maintaining access along this one-way road.
4.3.2 By locating it in the proposed location, drivers would have the opportunity of shortening the route for customers heading south or east, although utilising Waverley Street in the evening could cause conflict with emerging patrons from the adjoining pubs and clubs.
4.3.3 Merseyside Police regularly close Hulme Street and Waverley Street to all vehicular traffic when anti-social behaviour problems arise.
4.4 Recommendation
4.4.1 Given the total lack of support by Merseyside Police, it is recommended that the proposal is rejected.
5.0 Coronation Walk, Southport
5.1 Reason for request
5.1.1 The NSHCA have requested a change to the existing Rank in Coronation Walk due to a problem of enforcing the dual use Taxi Stand/Loading bay, and the fact that “most of the journeys need the taxi to turn in the road, this is a safety issue, before they even can start their journeys to their destinations.”
5.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
5.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that the existing rank is rarely used and that the provision of a split rank, either side of Coronation Walk will restrict Private Hire Drivers picking up pre-booked fares.
5.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
5.2.3 Sefton Council’s Property Management are currently in the process of disposing of Pavilion Buildings when Parking Services and Leisure Services are relocated. An officer from Property Management states that ;-
“The property may well be converted to residential apartments and the presence of noisy taxi rank would not be welcomed. I would suggest that this does not proceed, at the least the new owners would need to be consulted.”
Members are reminded that there is already a night-time rank directly outside Pavilion Buildings, and this proposal will actually reduce the number of cabs directly outside the building.
5.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
5.3.1 The existing Hackney Carriage Stand operates from a dual use bay. Between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. the bay is used as a loading bay, and between 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. it acts as a Hackney Carriage Stand. Due to its dual signage and unique carriageway markings, drivers of private vehicles seem to be confused, and the bay is constantly parked up by private vehicles during the evening, thus denying Hackney drivers the use of the facility.
5.3.2 By splitting the Stand, as shown in annex A, this would enable clearer, dedicated Hackney Carriage Stand bays to be provided.
5.3.3 The width of Coronation Walk already permits parking on both sides of the carriageway, and the location of a second Stand on the north-easterly side would be considered not to cause a problem for through traffic.
5.4 Recommendation
5.4.1 It is recommended that the two new Hackney Carriage Stands are progressed as requested by the NSHCA.
6.0 (Little) Cambridge Road, Southport
6.1 Reason for request
6.1.1 The NSHCA have requested a new Hackney Carriage Stand “for the convenience of shoppers and which will also be convenient for people who have just missed the bus.”
6.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
6.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that the location is heavily congested and that the proposed rank would cause obstruction. Members should be aware, however, that the area being proposed for the rank currently has no waiting restrictions and is generally parked up by vehicles throughout the day. Any obstruction which is claimed would be caused by the waiting cabs, already exists with private vehicles.
6.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
6.2.3 A letter of objection, shown as Annex J, has been received from SMR Creative Agency, which trades from 139-141 Cambridge Road. The proprietor feels that all parking should be removed from adjacent to their premises, to allow him to emerge safely from his car park.
6.2.4 Another letter of objection, shown as Annex K, has been received from Balmoral Associates, which also trade from 139-141 Cambridge Road. The proprietor states that on-street parking is at a premium, and that the provision of a rank will exacerbate the situation. He also claims that a rank will also attract undesirables queuing for a cab.
6.2.5 A verbal objection from a prospective owner of the former Public Conveniences, which is currently being offered for sale by tender, has also been received. Written confirmation of this objection has not been received, but the person raised concern over the lack of on-street parking spaces which already exists and which would be exacerbated by this proposal.
6.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
6.3.1 On-street parking already takes place at this location, therefore the utilisation of the space for a hackney carriage Stand would cause no traffic management or safety problems.
6.3.2 From previous schemes in the area, it is acknowledged that the shortage of parking facilities does cause problems for traders in the area, and this proposal would result in the removal of 3 on-street parking spaces.
6.4 Recommendation
6.4.1 Given the shortage of available on-street parking spaces, it is recommended that this proposal is rejected.
7.0 Bispham Road, Southport
7.1 Reason for request
7.1.1 The NSHCA give no written reason for the relocation of the existing Stand from Thornton Road to Bispham Road, although they have verbally stated that they no longer receive any trade from the current location and would prefer to offer their services to shoppers on Bispham Road.
7.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
7.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that the location currently has double yellow lines, which were originally installed for road safety reasons. Members should be aware that the current restrictions are provided up to a point 34 metres west of Canning Road, which could safely be reduced by 10 metres to accommodate the rank. The remaining 24 metres of restrictions are considered adequate to maintain visibility for drivers emerging from Canning Road.
7.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
7.2.3 A letter of objection, shown as Annex L, has been received from the owners of the Spar shop, trading from 128-132 Bispham Road. They claim that the area where the 2 cab rank would be situated is currently used by their customers. They also claim that parked taxis would cause an obstruction to pedestrians wishing to cross the road.
7.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
7.3.1 It is not considered that the provision of a Hackney Carriage Stand at this location would have any traffic management or safety implications.
7.4 Recommendation
7.4.1 It is recommended that the new Hackney Carriage Stand is progressed as requested by the NSHCA.
8.0 Cambridge Road / Botanic Road, Churchtown
8.1 Reason for request
8.1.1 The NSHCA give no written reason for the relocation of the existing Stand from Botanic Road to Cambridge Road, although they have verbally stated that they would prefer to be closer to “The Bold” and “The Hesketh Arms” where they get most of their custom from.
8.2 Objections & Comments from consultees
8.2.1 A joint objection to this proposed rank was received from High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association, a copy of which is shown as Annex C. They refer to the fact that the proposed location “would have oncoming traffic from four directions” and they feel it would be unsafe. They also state that on-street parking is at a premium.
8.2.2 The two letters from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi operators’ Association, shown as Annexes D & D1 refer to all of the proposed locations and are discussed in paragraph 2.2.3
8.3 Traffic & Safety Implications
8.3.1 The proposed location currently has unrestricted parking, adjacent to a number of on-street parking spaces around the Obelisk. These spaces on Cambridge Road are currently utilised throughout the day by private vehicles, and do not appear to cause any traffic management or safety problems.
8.4 Recommendation
8.4.1 It is recommended that the new Hackney Carriage Stand is progressed as requested by the NSHCA.
9.0 Conclusion
9.1 The recently introduced policy for new Hackney Carriage or Private Hire facilities gives organisations on the list of consultees the chance to give their views on the proposals to Members of the Area Committee before the Committee resolution is passed. In addition, letter drops to all adjoining properties alert occupants to the proposals and also gives them the chance to highlight any problems.
9.2 The first response from the High Park Private Hire Drivers’ Association and Southport Private Hire Drivers Association would appear to be vexatious, as they simply made a counter claim on the areas of carriageway proposed by the North Sefton Hackney Carriage Association. This was amended in their second letter, but again the only apparent reason for making a request for a pick-up point was because they wanted to be adjacent to the Hackney Carriage Stand. Neither of these letters actually objected to the proposed ranks.
9.3 The petition submitted by the Southport Station Taxi Association fails to say why the signatories are against the rank on Wright Street, and indeed the Association’s covering letter simply states that they feel aggrieved that the two Southport Hackney Associations haven’t had a full debate on the subject. This is clearly an internal dispute, which only the two associations themselves can sort out.
9.4 The main thrust of the objections from the North Sefton Licensed Private Hire Taxi Operators’ Association revolve around the potential road safety implications at each site. Each of the proposed locations have been inspected by a Technical Services’ officer whose comments are included within this report.
9.5 Whilst the views of each of the Trade Associations are important, there appears to be an element of rival associations protecting their own interests by blocking any request for a Hackney Carriage Stand which may attract fare paying passengers away from their own members. Elected Members may choose, therefore, to add more weight to any objections from outside of the Hackney or Private Hire trade, such as Merseyside Police or traders.
10.0 Financial Implications
10.1 The cost of any agreed Hackney Carriage Stand would be accommodated within the Taxi Licensing & Enforcement Unit’s current annual budget of £3000.
10.2 Depending upon the number of Stands approved for progression by Area Committee Members, if the total cost exceeds £3000, further financial approval would be sought from Licensing & Regulatory Committee.
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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!
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