Burnham: Taxi drivers fight rank plansTAXI drivers have rubbished plans to put a taxi rank in Burnham because they say there is no need for it.
The idea has been put forward by Maldon District Council Quality Taxi Partnership, which is proposing it should be either at the Clock Tower or elsewhere in High Street.
But taxi firms in the town are against the idea.
Mo Burkin, who runs Gemini Taxis, based in Dunkirk Road, said: “I’m not sure why anyone would call for something like this, my own opinion is that the town is too small and we wouldn’t need one here.
“A lot of our customers are elderly people and we picked them up door to door so they would not need a rank.
“The only time I could see it would be beneficial would be perhaps on New Year’s Eve, but even then, it is probably not something we would be looking to use.”
Lorraine Nethercoat, who runs Crouch Taxis, based in Station Road, added: “It is not something I think we need in the town.
“The town isn’t really as busy a place as somewhere like Maldon. I think it would be a waste.
“Even when people are going out into Burnham they tend to pre-book a cab.”
Burnham Town Council has been consulted, saying it would prefer the rank to be at the railway station, but drivers fear they will be charged by station operators National Express.
In contrast, a Maldon District Council spokeswoman said the council believes drivers are keen on the move.
“Taxi drivers would like a rank in Burnham.
“A member of the taxi trade, two representatives from Essex County Council, including one for Highways, and an officer from this authority have been out to look at possible locations.”
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