Cabbies threaten strike action after vehicles damaged on 'narrow' taxi rank
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... er-2054953
Customers are bashing taxi doors on concrete posts and seats on Newcastle-under-Lyme High Street
Image: Stoke Sentinel
Taxi drivers are threatening to go on strike after slamming the design of their town centre taxi rank.
They are complaining that Newcastle-under-Lyme's High Street rank is too narrow.
It means customers are bashing cab doors into new concrete posts and seats and damaging the vehicles.
Now Newcastle Hackney Carriage Association wants the taxi rank to be moved to Hassell Street.
Association vice-chairman Bashir Choudhry said: “Staffordshire County Council has moved the markings closer to the pavement which means the taxi rank is too narrow.
"Our cars are damaged by the street furniture, including lampposts, seating areas and benches, as people bang their doors on them. People sitting on the benches also kick our doors.
“We are totally fed up with this council. It is not interested in talking to us.”
Image: Stoke Sentinel
Fellow Hackney carriage driver Anwarul Ahli said: “If there is a delivery then people cannot get around and we struggle to get disabled people out of our vehicles.”
The association says it will go on strike if it does not get a meeting with the council.
Hackney carriage driver Muhammad Sidique said: “Hassell Street was convenient because there were no traffic jams. We don’t have space on High Street for queuing. It was also more convenient for older people who don’t want to walk all the way from the market to High Street. We had more business on Hassell Street.
“People are also parking here illegally all the time. They park here for the market as they don’t have anywhere else to park. We are losing business and our livelihood.
Image: Stoke Sentinel
County council bosses say moving the rank to Hassell Street is not possible because that has now been pedestrianised. A section of High Street - between Paradise Street and Hick Street - was closed earlier this year for pavement works which saw taxis diverted along Hassell Street.
County Councillor Helen Fisher, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The taxi rank in High Street was installed in 2013 following consultation with the taxi drivers’ association and police. Hassell Street was pedestrianised as part of the recent town centre regeneration works so is not a viable location as a day-time taxi rank.”
