Taxi Driver Online

Disabled forced to walk to post office after private hire taxi ban

Thursday, February 03, 2011, 07:00

Elderly and disabled people are being forced to walk 100 yards to the post office after private hire taxis were told they cannot drop off passengers in the Oxebode.

There is a bay for Hackney Carriage taxis in the Oxebode, but Gloucestershire County Council said cabbies should not use the narrow road.

Susan Beaumont, of Ladybird Cars, was given a parking ticket for £70 after dropping off a disabled pensioner there.

After having her appeal against the fine turned down, she is vowing to fight the decision.

She said: "We don't want to stop there and take any trade away from the Hackney Carriages, we just want to be able to drop off there.

"I didn't stop for long, just long enough for the passenger to get out."

She said that she now harbours concerns for her passengers' welfare as they will now have to walk a full 100 yards to get to the post office.

She said: "We have been told we have to drop people off in Northgate Street.

"Elderly people need to use the post office and, as a lot have now closed, the one in the city centre is a lifeline to many of them.

"Having to walk that distance is going to be nearly impossible for a lot of the elderly and disabled people who use private hire taxis."

A Gloucester City Council spokesman said: "The Oxebode has a 'no waiting' or loading restriction, which means vehicles cannot enter this area as a dropping off point.

"There is a licensed taxi bay for Hackney Carriage vehicles within this area. Gloucester City Council enforces the restrictions, which have been set by Gloucestershire County Council."

Jim Daniels, parking manager at the county council, said: "This is not a new rule. Private hire vehicles are not allowed to park in the Oxebode outside or near the post office where there is a clearly-designed taxi rank.

"Unauthorised vehicles will receive a ticket."

Source;

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What a lovely caring person Jim daniels must be...So much empathy towards the Old and infirm,. It should matter not one bit in these day of equality whether your dropped by Hack or PH..If the punter can barely walk that should be reason enough to be allowed to do so,. Be a different matter if the PH's were toting for business but that doesnt look like the problem there.

So typical of our British Hitlerite type of Council jobsworths Rhetoric and inflexibility.....

What if the punter is a blue badge holder, does that make a difference? Could they then be dropped at the side of the HC rank?

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

Has Mr Daniels any interest (family or financial) in any HC vehicle or company I wonder.....

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