Taxi Driver Online

Temporary taxi rank proposed to tackle "disorder" in Westfield Street

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/1637 ... ld-street/

ST Helens Council is set to consult with the taxi trade over the creation of a temporary rank to tackle “disorder” in Westfield Street.

Currently, St Helens town centre has only two taxi ranks, in Ormskirk Street and Hall Street, that are utilised by licenced Hackney carriages.

There is also a small two-vehicle rank at the bottom of Westfield Street, which was installed a number of years ago to assist with the night-time economy.

A council report says this is “ineffective” because police block off the bottom of Westfield Street just in front of the rank to control the numbers on the street at peak times, which restricts business for the Hackney trade.

It adds that another issue that has been raised by the Hackney trade are the private hire operator offices.

“These offices are situated in prime locations along Westfield Street and have set up their own ways of clearing the streets of people,” the report says.

“In particular, the two operators in question ‘queue’ those waiting for a licensed vehicle at the back of their premises on North John Street.

“Effectively these operators have established themselves as a ‘rank’ and queue customers for the next available vehicle in a similar manner, for example by handing out raffle tickets.

“Both of these operators have been warned for failure to keep proper records.”

The report says the actions of the two private hire firms has “added to the disorder” in the area, with large numbers of people waiting for vehicles.

It adds: “These operators are in effect gathering as much of the trade as they can for themselves and it has been reported that staff often stand out on Westfield Street to stop customers who could have continued to walk up the road to secure a vehicle on the Ormskirk Street Hackney rank.”

In recent months, the council’s licencing department has been working with representatives from the Hackney trade regarding options for future taxi ranks as part of the redevelopment of the town centre.

Following these talks, the council is proposing to trial a number of locations for a period of 18 months while their effectiveness is assessed.

The first of these temporary ranks is earmarked for North John Street.

The rank would have capacity for six Hackney carriages and be marked in the usual manner as a Hackney carriage/taxi rank.

On Wednesday, the council’s Licencing and Environmental Protection Committee will be asked to approve a trade consultation on the plans.

“It is proposed to carry out a consultation exercise with the licensed trade for a period of four weeks, although early indications indicate that the Hackney trade in particular would welcome and support the proposal,” the report says.

“Following the trade consultation, the council’s Highways department have indicated that the rank could be installed within eight weeks” the report adds.

“Should the North John Street rank be installed and be assessed to be a success, it is proposed that further temporary ranks may be trialled around the town centre and in other parts of the borough.”

Sounds like the office staff are touting

The police want the streets clear of people as quick as possible.

I suspect the police are turning a blind eye to certain license breaches.

That said if the two operator's used their heads a bit more, and tweaked their 'ranking' a bit more, they could do what they currently do in a legal way.

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IDFIMH

or the council could install a proper Hackney rank and the people could queue there and probably get home quicker

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

Temporary taxi rank approved to help with 'disorder' in St Helens town centre

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/172 ... wn-centre/

A TEMPORARY taxi rank will be installed in St Helens town centre to help tackle “disorder” on a night time.

Currently, St Helens town centre has taxi ranks in Ormskirk Street and Hall Street that are utilised by 63 licenced Hackney carriages.

There is also a small two-vehicle rank on Westfield Street, which was installed a number of years ago when Crystals Nightclub, on Ormskirk Street, was still open.

However, this rank is usually blocked off by police on a Friday and Saturday night to control the numbers on the street, which impacts the hackney trade.

A public consultation was launched on July 31 on proposals to install a temporary taxi rank in North John Street for six Hackney carriages.

As part of the pilot, the existing “Crystals” rank will be removed.

One of the reasons for the change is due to the way private hire firms along Westfield Street “funnel” punters to the back of their premises on North John Street.

Lorraine Simpson, the council’s licensing and land charges manager, said this adds to the “disorder” in the area and is why Merseyside Police have asked for and support the new rank.

She said the police feel the extra Hackney Carriages will allow the area to be cleared “much quicker”.

Ms Simpson said the entire licensed trade in St Helens was consulted on the plans, which is approximately 1,500 people.

Five responses were received before the deadline, with two received after.

All of the responses were from private hire drivers or operators and were all in opposition of the plans.

Some of the concerns include a lack of CCTV and police presence in the area.

There are also fears the rank could affect private hire firms financially.

One objector wrote: “I am against this rank as it will have a detrimental effect on private hires.

“It is hard enough to make money these days, with another rank they will be taking away our potential customers.”

Ms Simpson said all of the issues were considered at a meeting with representatives from licensing, Highways, Merseyside Police, Unite and the St Helens Association of Private Hire and Taxi Drivers (SHAPHTD).

She said it was agreed during the meeting to launch a joint publicity campaign with Merseyside Police to raise awareness of the new rank and how to access Hackney carriages.

During the 18-month trial period the rank will be monitored both for its usage and its effectiveness. Appropriate road marking and signage will be added to the area.

Ms Simpson said the new rank can be removed without notice if there are any issues during the trial period.

Cllr Susan Murphy, Labour councillor for Billinge and Seneley Green, said the new taxi rank is “really positive” for the town centre.

“I think it opens another avenue for our people,” Cllr Murphy said. “Safety is paramount.

“I think this is a really good way forward for us, for the town centre.

“But I would say if there are any problems with it, we need it brought back to this committee as soon as possible.”

Members of the licensing committee noted the results of the consultation and authorised the licensing manager to undertake the necessary work to install the proposed North John Street rank on a temporary 18-month basis.

Do you laugh, or do you cry at that pathetic response from the trade?

I vote cry.

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IDFIMH

You can't fix stupid, most of them are happy to carry on as they are. Whats betting the letters were from the owners of the PH company?