Taxi Driver Online

'Accident waiting to happen'

A temporary taxi rank set up during building work at Leicester train station is "not safe or satisfactory", according to the city mayor.

Cabbies raised concerns with Sir Peter Soulsby after the rank inside the station was closed on Friday while work continues on a £3.5 million overhaul of the forecourt by Network Rail.

They have been forced to move to nearby Conduit Street, which they say is dangerous and inconvenient for customers.

Having looked at the situation, Sir Peter agreed. He said: "The situation of taxis that have been thrown off the station forecourt on to Conduit Street is not safe or satisfactory. This move should have been properly planned, in agreement with the drivers, before the scheme began.

"We were not made aware before the station works started that taxis wouldn't be able to use the forecourt."

Workers have been on site at the Grade II-listed station since October, and until Friday, taxis had been allowed in part of the forecourt.

Network Rail said taxi drivers would not be allowed back in the station for six to 10 weeks, while scaffolding is dismantled and ground work takes place.

Gurpal Singh Atwal, cabbie and secretary of Leicester's RMT Union, said: "We are now forced to do three-point turns in a very narrow and busy road.

"Over the weekend I saw two near misses. It is only a matter of time before someone is hurt.

"Passengers are also being picked up by unlicensed vehicles – which will then be not insured – in London Road, who are just pulling up in the bus lane.

"Conduit Street is packed with other road users, prams and wheelchairs who can't use the narrow pavement, and delivery lorries. It is not suitable."

Paul Southwood, chair of the Leicester's RMT Union, added: "We care about our customers – we do not want them put in danger. This needs sorting out, and the sooner the better."

Cabbies have asked the city council's licensing department to allow drivers to set up a temporary rank in nearby Station Street, which they say would be safer, but Sir Peter said that this option was still far from ideal.

He has asked council officers to call an urgent meeting between Network Rail and the taxi drivers.

Network Rail said moving the rank was agreed in advance with the council, but the council said it only found out about the proposed move a few weeks ago from the cab drivers.

The Network Rail spokeswoman said: "Safety is of paramount importance, but the highways department is the authority and expert on road management. Should they wish to discuss alternative arrangements, we will be happy to do so."

The results of the station overhaul are scheduled to be unveiled in July. Plans show a 29ft high glass partition will divide shops in the new-look entrance from a visitors' parking area and taxi rank.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/A ... story.html

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Why not do something unheard of, like talking to the drivers first?

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IDFIMH

The drivers are part of the RMT in Leicester.......surely they should have known before the council?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

No, they are only interested in bus lanes.

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IDFIMH

For Trains?

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Never seen all these phrases in the same article before.

And the rank inside the portico at Leicester station is safer ? Not sure about that for those of us who know the station there I would say there is little difference other than the passengers have to walk further to the taxis its not as if they have to cross the London road first

I think this is more about fears of a drop in trade than safety

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

you ain't lived

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Taxi drivers get car park to ease traffic problems


A disused car park is being opened up to combat problems for taxi drivers while Leicester station is being redeveloped.

Cabbies were unhappy earlier this month when Network Rail moved them out of the station while it completed the final stages of an £8 million facelift.

They complained of narrowly avoiding collisions while doing three-point turns in Conduit Street to gain access to the rank.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby labelled the set-up "not safe or satisfactory".

Following talks with the taxi drivers, the council has now opened up a disused car parking area in Conduit Street which can accommodate up to 50 waiting vehicles.

Taxis will be able to park off the road and wait their turn to join the temporary rank that has been installed in Conduit Street.

Cabbies have welcomed the move.

Gurpal Singh Atwal, cabbie and secretary of Leicester's RMT union, said: "We would like to thank Sir Peter and the council for listening to our concerns.

"The situation before was dangerous as it was very crowded with taxi drivers having to turn around in the street. I saw near misses which could have resulted in bad accidents.

"By opening up the land, the council allows us a space where we can wait before going on to the rank when a space comes free. We also do not have to turn around in the street."

Kulbir Singh, 46, who has been driving a taxi for nearly 18 years, said: "It is much safer for everyone, whether they are taxi drivers, other motorists or pedestrians.

"Instead of taxis parking on yellow lines, we can park off the road now which is much better.

"We can also turn round on the car park and avoid having to do three point turns."

Assistant city mayor Piara Singh Clair said: "Following discussions with the taxi drivers we've agreed to make this area of land, which is owned by the city council's housing department, available as temporary parking for taxis waiting on Conduit Street.

"I visited the site on Friday and the taxi drivers seemed happy with this temporary solution to their concerns while work continues at the station."

Workers have been on site at the grade II-listed station since October. Until Friday, April 13, taxis had been allowed in part of the forecourt.

Network Rail said taxi drivers would not be allowed back in the station for six to 10 weeks, while scaffolding is dismantled and ground work takes place.

A spokeswoman said: "The Conduit Street solution was put forward by the city council.

"We are aware of the issues and are working as quickly as we can so that the taxi drivers can return."

The station's overhaul is scheduled to be unveiled in July.

Plans show a 29ft-high glass partition that will divide shops in the new-look entrance from a visitors' parking area and taxi rank.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/T ... story.html

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I had a pick up at Leicester station on Friday evening. It was easy for PH and out of town hacks like myself to pick up our passengers and it was equally easy for the bad boys to pick up illegaly. The local hacks had a bit of a problem and the reason for the safety concerns were obvious. The original feeder rank for the station is being used to pick up customers on Conduit Street. The problem is that you can't exit Conduit Street onto London Road. You have to do a 3 point turn. The road is not very wide so you have customers walking all around whilst trying to manouver. It certainly was an accident waiting to happen. The drivers there have my sympathy.

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Grandad,