Not at all clear what's going on here - comparing the two photos, the high kerb is presumably the one *opposite* the rank rather than the one edging the rank. Looks more like an excuse to move the rank and/or just find something to spend money on
Late-night town centre taxi rank to be moved by council - because this kerb's too high for clubbers
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... xi-2775584
And the move will cost taxpayers £52k
Image: Stoke Sentinel/Joe Burn
A town centre taxi rank is set to be moved at a cost to taxpayers of £52,000 - after safety concerns were raised over the 'height of a kerb'.
Staffordshire Police no longer want the night-time cab rank in Newcastle-under-Lyme's Hassell Street to be used because clubbers are struggling to get up and down the kerb.
It currently only operates between midnight and 3am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
But the rank is now being shifted to nearby High Street, with taxi access from Grosvenor Roundabout and an exit into Friar Street.
Police have also raised concerns about cabs queuing onto Barracks Road and causing congestion on the dual-carriageway.
Now residents and traders have questioned why such a large amount of public money is being used to move the rank.
Ivan Conyon, who works at Timpson's, which faces the rank, said: "The rank was done completely wrong in the first place."
Dodge Walker, who manages neighbouring Wayne Walker Meats, said: "The kerb is still going to be too high with or without the taxis. It needs sorting. The amount of times I've seen people fall over it."
Newcastle Hackney Carriage Association is fighting attempts to shift the rank - after claiming there are no safety issues.
Association secretary Murtaza Alam said: "There were almost 100 responses against this proposal because nobody wants to move the rank. It's been there for years and there have been no safety incidents."
But that is rejected by police chiefs.
Sergeant Jon Gritton said: "The current location of the taxi rank presents concerns for the safety of people leaving local clubs due to the height of the kerb. Also on busy nights queues of taxis can reach as far as Barracks Road causing congestion on the dual-carriageway.
"There has already been an incident of a vehicle travelling on the dual-carriageway which was in collision with a taxi queueing to get to the taxi rank.
"We have been in consultation with the borough and county councils and the local taxi association about the plans and all parties agree there is a need to improve public safety."
Image: Stoke Sentinel/Joe Burn
The taxi rank scheme forms part of Staffordshire County Council's £22.1 million capital transport programme for 2019/20.
County Councillor Helen Fisher, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The Newcastle town centre taxi rank relocation is one of a number of highways capital schemes for this financial year approved by cabinet.
"The aim is to make the town centre safer in the evenings and we’re hoping to carry out the scheme in the summer. It has the backing of the police which has offered a small contribution toward the costs.”
