Taxi Driver Online

Fears taxi drivers 'will not survive' in job roles over works at Bath Abbey

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/in-your- ... ot-2769755

'This area is dead for taxi drivers. Nobody can see us and we are struggling'


Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach/Somerset Live

A taxi driver in Bath fears that his fellow local cabbies 'will not survive' in this profession as he says the Abbey works are hurting them financially.

Bath Live has previously reported on Orange Grove businesses saying how much Bath Abbey's £19.3m Footprint project has hurt their trade since work began last May.

They say there has been a huge drop in footfall since then and that they are 'invisible' due to the huge hoardings being placed outside Bath Abbey.

That coupled with the fact that the Christmas market chalets were not stationed by the Orange Grove shops this year, led to a particularly difficult festive period for them.

Earlier this month, Mosaics of Design in Orange Grove went out of business, like the owners predicted late last year.

Now Bath taxi drivers say they are feeling the pinch from this too.

Angel Matovski, who has been a taxi driver for a decade, says something needs to be done to address this issue.

"The problem is nobody can see us. These hoardings make it difficult for us to be found," he said.

"Lorries park sometimes by the Abbey, blocking people's view to us. They need to move the taxi rank here.

"I can say we are 30 per cent down in terms of business. Since the work started on the Abbey, taxi drivers have suffered financially.

"All taxi drivers are struggling. For me, it is not bad as I am retired and I do this in my spare time, but others rely on this for their families. Some will not survive."

Taxi driver, Ali Razzaghi, said a lot of taxi drivers were experiencing harder times than this time last year.

"There are no proper sings for taxis around here and all taxi drivers here will say the same thing," he said.

"I have been a taxi driver for 10 years. This area is dead for taxi drivers. Nobody can see us and we are struggling.

"I think if we moved to a more visible area, away from the hoardings, like by Guildhall, that would help.

"My business has dropped 20-30 per cent since the work here began last year.

"The locals know we are here but the tourists, who used to use us a lot, do not know where we are.

"We need more help. The businesses along Orange Grove have struggled hugely and we are struggling too."


Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach/Somerset Live

Fellow taxi driver, Reza Mirnezami, concurred with Mr Razzaghi and Mr Matovski.

"It has has been the worst time for me in my 10 years as a taxi driver," he said.

"I don't expect the Abbey team to stop working, but I expect them to put clear signs up to show people where we are.

"If you go to Cardiff, they have huge signs for taxis. Here they have a pathetic sign that is 10-20cm in size that are near the traffic lights by Guildhall.

"People do not see that. We are about to thousands to the council very shortly to renew our taxi plates. Surely some of that could be used for signs.

"Not all of us are allowed to use the taxi rank at the station as we do not have permission as well, so we have to stay here and that is not good."

What did the Abbey and the council say in response?

The Footprint project director, Alix Gilmer, said: "Prior to the start of the building work, we worked closely with BANES Transport Services and Planning to ensure that the Hackney carriages were kept informed and consulted about our plans, and as a result, put into practice several recommendations made to minimise any disruption that may be caused to the Orange Grove taxi rank.

"This includes providing a sign at the corner of the building site directing the public to the taxi rank and ensuring pedestrian access from Abbey Churchyard along to the Orange Grove will be maintained throughout the project.

"We will continue to share our plans and timings throughout the building programme so that local businesses are kept informed of our timescales and plans."

A spokeswoman for BANES said: "The taxi rank has been in Orange Grove for more than 30 years and we have not had any formal complaints from drivers who use it or any enquiries from members of the public regarding its location.

"The wider issue is around the way the industry is changing rapidly and the way taxis are booked through apps."


Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach/Somerset Live

Why doesn't the trade get together with the council and put up some large 'taxi this way' signs?

Or pay some mush with a big sign to stand in the center and point people in the right direction.

I get the trade moaning, but be proactive for goodness sake.

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IDFIMH