East Devon District Council wants to hear from the people of Honiton about proposed improvements to taxi rank provision in the town, with three times as many spaces.

As it is, in Brum that is, we are still to a large extent, using the same ranks as in the 1960's / 70's, but redevelopments have taken place & although we have applied for numerous new ranks, approvals of these are few & far between.

Same here, when we were deregulated the LA told us ranks would be a key consideration, unfortunately our LA do NOT controll our roads, the County Council do, and they bring red tape to a new wonderful level.

CC

On the point of rank applications, is there an ombudsman that can be involved when rank applications are refused?

Better still I'll ring the DfT Taxi & Bus Dept ..... I need to speak to them about a few things.

I'm not actually sure about that, normally is planning consent isnt granted there is an appeals mechanism......but I suppose we dont actually own the road

CC

I wasn't necessarily thinking about the transport & highways issue, although that's one avenue I will explore today.

What about the right to work under EU legislation? A taxi rank is our place of work, where cabs can legally stand; anywhere else is illegal. I often equate the situation to a desk for an office worker ..... cabbies ain't got enough desks.

Yes but you dont have to work from a cab rank, you can ply?

CC

But the cab rank is the 'stationary shop' that the public know to be there in time.

Just spoke to Ms PB at DfT ..... there is no right of appeal for the refusal of an application for a taxi rank.

Then I will raise it with the Minister later in the month

CC

I know I'm not a member (because you don't take individual memberships from areas with trade representative bodies), but the issue of taxi ranks & the procedure for applying for new ones, really is a national issue.

Thanks for your efforts & if you do change your membership criteria in the future to accommodate individual members from areas with TRB, I will be happy to join.

The membership criteria is different to what you believe.

The former approach in respect of trade representative bodies has changed, it now revolves around NTA member association's, we have no reason to support those associations who are not NTA members.

Individual membership is being encouraged and the new membership fee for an individual will be sorted out later this month, it will be in the region of £36.50p if agreed by the membership.

CC

Then I will raise it with the Minister later in the month

CC

That will do for me!!

Where do I send the cheque to?

ALSO on this point, do you allow written submissions from non-members to be read out at your AGM in support of, or against a motion.

Before you do that, & I sincerely hope that you do, it might be as well to acquaint yourself with the legislation governing bus stops & their approval & appointment

I am led to believe that there is a statutory procedure in appointing bus stops & that it is almost impossible for Transportation, Highways & Streets departments of local, county or unitary councils to refuse an application.

Somewhere towards that situation for taxi rank applications would, in my view, be highly beneficial to the national cab trade. I know that would be perhaps 'a bridge too far' to hope for, but anything that is a lot better than the trade has at present would be most welcome.