Taxi Driver Online

Durham taxi drivers speak out against road closure


DURHAM’S taxi drivers have spoken out against a decision to close part of a busy city centre street on weekend nights to tackle congestion.

They were responding to an experimental traffic regulation order closing a stretch of Claypath between Millennium Place and the Providence Row junction, between 9pm and 4am on Fridays and Saturday nights, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Adrian Fets of Durham Independent Taxi Association: “I think it is crazy. The police and council say is that it will ease the conjestion – it is not. It is going to make it worse and it is going to be more dangerous."

He added: “The official taxi rank (at the side of Next) officially holds the maximum of six taxis.

“Every time a taxi picks up they have to cross a zebra crossing and deal with the delivery drivers and everybody turning right off the slip road and traffic coming out of the market.

“The other problem is that the taxis cannot service any of the bars or restaurants in Claypath or the Gala Theatre."

The authorities have acted following mounting concerns in recent months about the volume of traffic and parked vehicles filling the road on Friday and Saturday nights when nearby nightspots are busy.

The Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, which comes into force next Friday, enables the police and Durham County Council to monitor the effects of the closure for up to 18 months before deciding whether to make it permanent.

Scheduled bus services and permit holders who live or work in the closure area will still be able to get through.

Drivers without permits who attempt to ignore the closure will be prosecuted and may receive penalty points on their licence.

Adrian White, the council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “By closing Claypath to vehicles during the busiest nights we can ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike while making sure the night time economy in Durham City continues to thrive.”

source: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11634283._/

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