Taxi Driver Online

Taxi protest causes traffic chaos

A CONVOY of protesting taxi drivers caused delays for many motorists in Scunthorpe town centre today.

Scores of drivers got caught up in the chaos set up to highlight problems with workers coming from other areas and taking their business.

The taxi route weaved through town from the Queensway to the bus station.

The protest was against drivers from out of town operating in North Lincolnshire, taking trade away from local drivers.

But driving instructor Steve Betts (34), of Rectory Gardens, did not think the cabbies should not take it out on the public.

"I'm going to be 15 minutes late for my next lesson now," he said.

"I think it's absolutely disgusting. It's the council they have the issue with, not the public.

Why should we have to stand in traffic like this behind them?"

He also said it was infuriating the police were doing nothing to stop it.
"They are letting it happen," he said.

The taxi protest finished by blocking Pittwood House's car park.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Doesnt seem to have gone down too well with the locals this action;

At first I was in support of the taxi drivers and their campaign against out of the area operators coming in and taking away local business and money out of our local economy.

I said all along that to stage a 'Go Slow' through the town to the inconvenience of the general public is the wrong way to gain the support of the townsfolk. So now as a result of this 'Go Slow' I have now withdrawn my support for them and I'm now in favour of more Taxis on our streets, I also support the Preston based company in bring 30 more taxis to Scunthorpe.

Infact I was in the town centre for a night out at the weekend and its was a pleasure to see so many taxis, I had no problem having to wait for one like before.

The more the merrier, bring them on. Becky Taylor, Scunthorpe

Half the taxi drivers are down oswald road - 10% are taking the long way round - 20% are banging their wheels with frustration because they are having to go less than 60mph 15% are asking directions and the other 5% are sat quitely with an english phrase book.

In the meanitme no one else is bothered. Its not affecting the councillors and the caviar and chips luncheon, nor is it affecting the workers who are probably gazing out of the window giggling at the childish antics of the taxis.

Motorists are getting annoyed - but its not them the taxi frivers should be annoying - they are potential evening customers.

And finally - with any luck - someone is taking all the plate numbers and complaining to the council about their dangerous driving, and the police will hopefully be prosecuting them for the same offense.

'ere - guess who I 'ad in the back of me cab the other day?

Gawden Brarrn Fred Housego, Scunthorpe

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Taxi protest continues


TAXI protestors staged a second day of demonstrations in Scunthorpe today.

Motorists faced hold-ups for the second day in a row, as a line of cabs snaked its way slowly from Ashby Road to the bus station.

Around 25 angry cabbies took part in the action, which is designed to force North Lincolnshire Council to review licensing procedures.

Defiant drivers say they will not stop protests until the council agrees to freeze the issue of new licenses, introduce a test on local routes and test all applicants on English language skills.

The cabbies claim they fear they will go out of business if out of town operators continue to work in the region.

Today's action began at 11am and lasted an hour.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Cabbies gear up for talks

Friday, January 30, 2009, 07:0026 readers have commented on this story.
Click here to read their views.

TAXI drivers angry about out-of-town cabbies taking their business are to meet for discussions with council chiefs.

After a two hour 15mph go-slow through the streets of Scunthorpe causing traffic chaos North Lincolnshire Council announced it did have plans to talk to the region's taxi drivers.

Despite the step, North Lincolnshire Taxi and Private Hire Association said it would continue the fight until its demands were met.

Association spokesman Javed Akter, who represents 196 drivers, said he was pleased the meet, on Tuesday February 10, had been called and hoped they would listen to their concerns.

He said he hoped they had 'woken up'.

"I hope they will take us more seriously because they should do," he said.
"Somehow, they are going to have to listen to us.

"They need to sit round the table and talk to us."

View a video from the protest here. (The story continues below).

http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/news/Cabbies-gear-talks/article-656277-detail/article.html

The council said the meeting was the first in a consultation with taxi drivers and the public to make it more difficult for drivers coming into the area and protect taxi users.

A policy has been presented to the council's licensing committee and includes proposals they hope will keep standards high.

A spokeswoman said: "We are currently consulting the taxi trade and wider community about the licensing of taxis.

"The policy included the introduction of a knowledge test, standard livery for taxis, in car CCTV, advertising on cars, the introduction of a driving test for young or inexperienced drivers and a move to wheelchair accessible vehicles.

"The groups representing the taxi trade have been invited to take part in meetings about these proposals and they have accepted."

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

oh a council consultation eh!! that'll do a lot of good in Lincolnshire its traditional for councils to totally ignore the views of the people and only consult people AFTER the descisions have been made

Trust me, this country is getting ready to pull apart at the seams . . . .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009 ... ns-strikes

Serious shi* coming your way . . .


This is just the start . . . .

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

What he forgot to say was you had to be dispassionate otherwise most politicians wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Hopefully after the next elections they will have plenty of time to consider whether being dispassionate was the correct course of action

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Not before time.....Id rather have the pain of change now when we're already suffering from the recession....It may be our last chance to face down the likes of the EU before they take over our very souls....Up the Revolution!!!

Has anyone considered that this Italian company could be losing money on this job?
If the quoted price is in pounds, that's far fewer euros than a couple of months ago.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Its a Diesel production plant theyre building...will it bring down the price of diesel if more of its produced within the UK....that was their excuse for diesel being more expensive than Petrol..lack of UK Diesel Production...