Cab drivers demanding return of Market Place rank say they plan more protests
TAXI drivers in Newbury have warned they will continue causing disruption in Newbury until the axed Market Place taxi rank is restored, with rumours that the Hennessy Gold Cup could become a target.
A demonstration by angry cab drivers brought Newbury town centre to a standstill from 5pm on Friday (12) as a procession of 40 cars circled the streets until police intervened.
The move of the Market Place taxi rank to the Wharf, taking them out of sight from the town centre and causing tensions between drivers, was the basis for the protest, which they claim could lead to a repeat of the violent scenes witnessed just hours later outside the Hogshead pub in Wharf Street in which three Thatcham men were stabbed and arrests were made.
One driver who asked not to be named said that some were so incensed at West Berkshire Council’s decision that a plan had been formulated to disrupt the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse next weekend - the town’s busiest day of the year - to send a direct message to the council.
West Berkshire Hackney and Private Hire Association chairman Andrew Lutter distanced himself from any attempt to derail one of the largest and most prestigious events in the racing calendar, but said other demonstrations were on the cards.
“The council are determined not listen to us but we will keep doing this until they do,” he said.
““We did something like this 10 years ago, and we are fully prepared to do it again.
“Some of the lads want to go out and protest every night but we want to make a point and make it as effective as possible. I personally don’t want to disturb the racing as I don’t think it should affect the punters but some drivers are fuming and all sorts of things are being talked about.”
In February 2001, 50 taxis brought major roads around Newbury to a standstill with a drive-slow protest at a council ruling on fares.
The combination of crawling cabs and thousands of racegoers descending on Newbury for the Toe Gold Trophy caused chaos right across the town.
Inspector Warren McKeown from Thames Valley Police said: "We are aware that further similar events are planned and as always we will do all we can to facilitate a peaceful protest."
West Berkshire Council’s executive member for transport David Betts (Con, Purley-on-Thames) said he did not wish to comment on any specific incident which was being investigated, but said that if the police indicated they had concerns over the new arrangements the council “would certainly look into it if asked.”
Thames Valley Police refused to comment when asked whether it was happy with the arrangements.
“If there is a political debate between the taxi drivers and the council we will not get involved, we do not get into political debates,” spokesman Craig Evry said.
Police arrested a man on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident on Saturday night, in which three men, all from Thatcham, received minor lacerations and puncture wounds following the disorder.
The most seriously injured, a 24-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading and was released the following morning.
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