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| Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18567 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears TAXIS and cars are to be banned permanently from driving into Waverley Station amid terrorist fears ahead of the London Olympics, it emerged today. The move, described as a “nightmare” and “out of proportion”, will mean no private vehicles will be allowed into the newly-refurbished station from July – meaning passengers will have to haul their luggage up the ramp and outside on to Waverley Bridge. Rail bosses insist the ban is essential to comply with anti-terror guidelines in time for the Games and point out that Waverley is the last major station to still allow cars underneath the station roof. There were fears today that the changes would cause “chaos”. To make matters worse, Haymarket Station’s taxi rank is set to close for the forseeable future as part of the tram works. Les McVay, chairman of the Edinburgh Licensed Taxi Partnership said: “This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. “Network Rail has always seen the taxi rank as a bit of a thorn in its side, but this is a nightmare. “The council will have to come up with an alternative plan. There are only around five taxi spaces on Waverley Bridge and there are 14 million people travelling through the station every year.” Network Rail, which runs Waverley, told taxi firms last week it would not renew hundreds of £800-a-year permits that allow taxis to operate in the station ahead of the move. Mr McVay said: “With the closure of Waverley, Haymarket and the extensive tram works, it’s becoming a vicious circle. “We can’t sit around [undesignated areas] as we get moved away, and we can’t just drive around the city centre, that would be an environmental issue. It could cause chaos. “They have seen an opportunity on the back of the Olympics to play the terrorism card.” A spokesman for Network Rail insisted the ban was necessary and alternative arrangements were being explored. He said: “To comply with security legislation, Network Rail has agreed to remove taxis and private vehicles from Edinburgh Waverley Station by the end of July 2012. “Waverley is the last major station operated by Network Rail to allow private vehicles under the station roof and this has been designated as a security risk. “Network Rail is required to comply with legislation to remove vehicles prior to the London Olympic Games. The order applies to major transport hubs across Britain. “Network Rail has been working with Edinburgh City Council to examine options for an alternative location for a station taxi rank and drop off area.” Councillor Eric Barry, who represented the Unite union at talks over the move, said the decision to ban traffic was “disappointing”. He said: “This decision makes it difficult for the elderly lugging their baggage. What about disabled access? I don’t think they’ve thought this through. “They’ve brought up the usual issue of security, but if a terrorist wants to blow us up they’d find a way. Some of the measures are totally out of proportion to the security risk.” He suggested that airport and tour buses could move from Waverley Bridge to St Andrew Square to create additional taxi rank space. Councillor Rob Munn, convener of the council’s licensing sub committee, said various options were under consideration. Meanwhile, discussions are also under way to relocate the taxi rank at Haymarket, which is managed by ScotRail. Not fare play Jim Taylor, 59, who has been in the taxi trade for 20 years, said: “Have they thought how it will affect wheelchair users and disabled passengers? This proposal is discriminating against them and leaving them at a real disadvantage. “Every taxi driver is vetted before a licence is granted so the security is already there. The whole thing is breath-taking. Banning cars is maybe fair enough but taxis have been security checked.” Another taxi driver, Stuart Smith, 47, said: “I don’t pick up in Waverley so it won’t affect me like it will others. “But if you are trying to provide a service you want to drop [passengers] off into the station. It doesn’t create a good impression to the general public.” http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... _1_2115720 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Quote: Stuart Smith, 47, said: “I don’t pick up in Waverley so it won’t affect me like it will others. I dont think Stuart has thought this one through.......the taxis standing currently at the station will have to ply elsewhere......I think it will affect him. CC |
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| Author: | wee eddie [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Sounds like an opportunity to renew to occupation of Station Porter. Maybe a few quid invested in a Barrow would be money well spent. "Carry your bags Ma'am" "Only a quid to the top of the ramp" |
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| Author: | gusmac [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 4:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
captain cab wrote: Quote: Stuart Smith, 47, said: “I don’t pick up in Waverley so it won’t affect me like it will others. I dont think Stuart has thought this one through.......the taxis standing currently at the station will have to ply elsewhere......I think it will affect him. CC Blinkered thinking, not unique to Edinburgh. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Okay lets have a little conspiracy theory here. The following link; viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18487 With thousands of miles of unprotected rails lines in the UK? Hardly. CC |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
captain cab wrote: Rail bosses insist the ban is essential to comply with anti-terror guidelines in time for the Games and point out that Waverley is the last major station to still allow cars underneath the station roof. I don't think so.  Waverley 19,000,000 Brighton 13,800,000. |
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Waverly is not the only station taxis enter, what about York?? |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
skippy41 wrote: Waverly is not the only station taxis enter, what about York?? I think that was Sussex's point? CC |
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| Author: | grandad [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Sussex wrote: captain cab wrote: Rail bosses insist the ban is essential to comply with anti-terror guidelines in time for the Games and point out that Waverley is the last major station to still allow cars underneath the station roof. I don't think so. Waverley 19,000,000 Brighton 13,800,000. Waverley-Capital City-major terror threat Brighton-Poxy seaside town-urban regeneration |
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| Author: | Nidge2 [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
skippy41 wrote: Waverly is not the only station taxis enter, what about York?? Nottingham allow Taxis and normal cars under the Station roof. |
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| Author: | grandad [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Nidge2 wrote: skippy41 wrote: Waverly is not the only station taxis enter, what about York?? Nottingham allow Taxis and normal cars under the Station roof. The same at Leicester but these stations, along with the likes of Brighton, are not classed as major stations when it comes to terrorism. Lets face it if Brighton station was blown up, the rest of the country may not hear about it for a week. |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
grandad wrote: Lets face it if Brighton station was blown up, the rest of the country may not hear about it for a week. And I would be incredibly busy. 
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| Author: | grandad [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
Sussex wrote: grandad wrote: Lets face it if Brighton station was blown up, the rest of the country may not hear about it for a week. And I would be incredibly busy. Result then. 
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| Author: | skippy41 [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
How do they pick up in Glasgow??? is it under cover, |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:26 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Taxis hit by Waverley ban over terror attack fears |
skippy41 wrote: How do they pick up in Glasgow??? is it under cover, No its outside. CC |
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