Taxi Driver Online

Cab firm woes continue

AN ILLEGAL minicab firm is driving neigbours round the bend, they claim.

Dukes Avenue homeowners hit out at Haringey Council for failing to shutdown Dukes Car Service, in Dukes Mews, Muswell Hill, saying cabs "almost constantly" block the street causing "danger and nuisance".

Laura Butterfield, a trade union worker, of Dukes Avenue, said: "There's cabs parked all over the street now taking up the parking spaces. It's business as usual for them even though they've had an enforcement notice served on them."

The 24-hour taxi service does not have planning permission and an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed in August this year due to the cab firm's affect on "residents living conditions" and "traffic conditions".

But residents say business has continued unabated. They have long complained Dukes Avenue suffers the brunt of rowdy behaviour over-spilling from nightclubs and bars at the top of Muswell Hill.

"There are bottles and cans all over the place, rubbish, the fried chicken wrappers dumped, the urinating, the danger of cabs pulling up," said Ms Butterfield. "It's unnecessary and unwanted hassle trying to deal with it really."

Linda Bannister, of Muswell Hill Broadway, said in a letter to the council her street door was so swollen "with its drenching of pee" it was difficult to open.

John Hajdu, chairman of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, said: "I was astonished to find out that this company is still in Dukes Mews since their planning permission has been turned down. This is totally illegal and I hope the council will act on this matter urgently."

Nearly 50 people, including the Dukes Avenue GP Practice, objected to Dukes Car Service's bid for planning permission in March this year, which was refused.

Dukes Car Service owner Shawkat Chowdhury, of Pickwick Mews, Edmonton, was out of the country as the Journal went to press. But he has previously claimed cabs do not park in Dukes Mews and that Haringey told him he did not need planning permission when he took on a 12-year-lease of the premises.

A Haringey Council spokesman said: "An enforcement notice has been served requiring that the property stops being used as a minicab office. The time for compliance has ended and court action is now being taken. The first court date is expected to be in November.

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