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ALL RISE!! MUPPETS IN SESSION!!!

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND STREET SERVICES OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2010 AT 1000 HOURS IN COMMITTEE ROOM 6, COUNCIL HOUSE, BIRMINGHAM

LICENSED HIRE VEHICLES IN BRIMINGHAM CITY CENTRE

The following report of the Acting Chief Highway Engineer was submitted:-

(See document No. 1)

Mr Hicks, Assistant Traffic Manager, presented the report and highlighted that the main areas of concern for the Committee were, queuing taxis in the vicinity of New Street Station; queuing taxis in Broad Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings; and consideration of short-term and long-term solutions at New Street during the development and post development of the station. He added that Mr Barrow, Head of Licensing, would have been in attendance but had been unavoidably delayed.

A query was raised at the number of taxis operating within Birmingham and whether any checks were made of Private Hire drivers. It was confirmed that there were checks and that all Licensed drivers had to renew their licenses annually.

A comment was made that Taxi Ranks used to be in other locations, such as Selly Oak and Kings Heath, and that these were not there now. It was noted that a Taxi Rank was still sited in Harborne. Mr Hicks advised that there were smaller ranks across the City and also advised that there were other Ranks in the City Centre but commented that drivers viewed the City Centre and New Street Station in particular as their “core business”.

Councillor Hartley commented on a petition she had submitted to the City Council on behalf of the Royal Institute for the Blind regarding problems on Hill Street and a request to change the zebra crossing to a pedestrian controlled crossing. She advised that she had not yet received a full response to the petition. She commented on problems with taxis making u-turns, queuing, parking up to traffic lights and parking on pavements. With reference to the impending demolition of Stephenson Tower she stated that these problems could get worse and stated that the issue in the City Centre was that the “Black Cabs” operated around New Street Station, rather than other locations, such as the Council House. She queried whether the Council could take legal action, particularly in relation to the problems around Hill Street.

Mr Hicks advised that an interim solution around Hill Street was to utilise Queens Drive. In relation to the demolition of Stephenson Tower he advised that there was a proposed new access off Smallbrook Queensway and that a long-term solution would be to work with the Station, who had ownership of the management of taxis on their land. A possible solution could be “colour coding” system whereby vehicles could only be allowed in when it was their colour’s turn. He stated that in relation to u-turns and other illegal manoeuvres in and around Hill Street and Navigation Street he advised that Regulatory Services did take action but that the illegal manoeuvres still took place but lower down the road. On a further question in relation to enforcement, he advised that the Police had assured the Council that they did ticket and enforce as and when resources allowed.

The idea of Super ranks and Key Marshalls in Broad Street was welcomed and Mr Hicks advised that the controls could only take place around these ranks and thus in other areas there was still a requirement for Police action. As a point of clarification, he further advised that it was Highways who put in the Ranks and relevant Traffic Regulation Orders but it was the Police who were required to enforce contraventions.

Reference was made to fares being on view and the Committee were advised that this was not always the case. A comment was also made on language difficulties and whether there were tests undertaken in relation to the driver’s language ability. The Lead Officer stated that these issues would be raised with the Licensing Section for a response.

A comment was made that sometimes Private Hire drivers picked up people who had not booked and other Members stated that they did not feel this issue was appropriately enforced in the City. Mr Hicks stated that this was an issue for the head of Licensing.

A query was raised as to whether there enough taxi ranks in the City and Mr Hicks stated that the various taxi associations always pleaded for more Ranks but advised that the Council were aware there vacant Ranks around the City.

It was commented that enforcement appeared to be the issue and Mr Hicks advised that there was good support at a level from the Police but it was always as to whether the Police’s resources would allow at any particular point in time.

The Lead Officer advised that there was a need to strike a balance and stated that there was a need for collaborative effort linked with the Police, taxi associations and supply and demand issues. He stated that the changes to New Street Station provided an opportunity to undertake changes during the construction of the new station and after completion.

Mr Hicks advised that there was a review of the demand for taxi services undertaken every three years, which would commence in April 2010. He highlighted that various lobby groups would be consulted to include groups representing people with disabilities and traders.

The Chair advised that proposed changes to taxi rank provision linked to changes to New Street Station could be brought back to the Committee and stated that the Council should capitalise on this opportunity.

A question was raised to how many private hire drivers were licensed in Birmingham. Mr Hicks advised that there were a number of operators and drivers and agreed to get the figures from the Head of Licensing for Committee Members.

Reference was made to arrangements in London, whereby there were taxi marshals and areas of land where taxis could park up before being advised of when spaces were available and also comments from taxi drivers regarding the weight restriction on the bridge over New Street Station.

The Lead Officer advised that the Structural Engineers had advised that there was no problem in relation to weight restrictions at the bridge referred to.

It was commented that Navigation Street was a wide area and thus there may be potential to utilise the area. Mr Hicks acknowledged the potential but advised that this area would change significantly. He added that the potential of Super Ranks was being considered and stated that consideration was being given to piece of land in the vicinity of Broad Street.

It was commented that there was no point having a taxi rank where there was no trade. The Vice-Chairman added that there was a piece of land available in the Bournville Ward which had been declared surplus by Highways, in which a taxi company had expressed an interest but that the Department had not yet addressed. The Lead Officer stated that he would investigate this specific example.

The Chair queried the numbers of taxis that operated in Birmingham but were licensed by neighbouring local authorities and Mr Hicks stated that he would get these figures from the head of Licensing. Several other comments were made on taxis operating within Birmingham but licensed elsewhere. The Lead Officer advised that there would always be cross flow and through flow of traffic in Birmingham, which affected taxi drivers as well as other drivers.

Following these comments, it was:-

RESOLVED:-

That the report be noted.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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