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Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37149	Page 1 of 1

Author:	StuartW [ Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:	Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
Difficult to assess these things without knowing the locale and the rank 'dynamic', but can certainly identifiy with some of the comments, and it's a subject close to my heart 'Scandalous' - Drivers' anger over city taxi rank move https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/no ... ns-8138240 Image: Ben Hardy/Norwich Evening News Cab drivers have slammed plans to relocate a city taxi rank and close a key street for those travelling towards the railway station. Norfolk County Council has launched a consultation for the ‘Connecting the Norwich Lanes’ proposals which includes moving the taxi rank from Guildhall Hill to St Peter's Street and Bethel Street near City Hall. Image: Ben Hardy/Norwich Evening News Taxi driver Graham Wilson said he was also concerned about plans to prevent all but delivery traffic using Exchange Street. Mr Wilson said: "I do not think it would be a good move. My main concern is shutting Exchange Street. If someone wanted to get in my cab to get to the station they would have to go all around the houses and it would cost a fortune. Image: Denise Bradley/Norwich Evening News "Shutting Exchange Street is not good for business whatsoever but the space would be fine if the rank was moved." There were concerns expressed over elderly customers with shopping bags from Tesco Metro being unable to walk up to City Hall for a taxi, as well as for those using wheelchairs. One driver, who did not wish to be named, said: "People know where the rank is and it has been here for years so it would be ridiculous to move. There is enough space." Another anonymous taxi driver said: "This business has been here on this rank for 40 years. It is scandalous what the council is trying to do. "Shutting Exchange Street would mean that if someone wanted to go north, we would need to take them the longest way around via St Peter's Street and down Grapes Hill which would cost a fortune. The council should be looking after our taxis more." The taxi rank move proposals would mean traffic, except delivery vehicles and blue badge holders, would be banned from Gaol Hill. Council leaders said 'Connecting the Norwich Lanes' would mean improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, improve air quality and boost businesses by providing more opportunities for outdoor dining at cafes and restaurants. For the full details of the council plans, click here.

Author:	edders23 [ Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
so a plan to make the city more accessible for the young and health conscious at the expense of everyone else's convenience and trade

Author:	StuartW [ Thu Nov 24, 2022 12:41 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
Norwich black cab drivers to protest over Exchange Street https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23 ... ge-street/ Dozens of black cab drivers are preparing to protest in the city centre about the closure of a key route affecting their business. The newly formed Norwich Taxis Association is in the process of planning a day of action next week in response to traffic being banned on Exchange Street. Black cab driver Craig Dimbleby has been appointed the chairman of the association and said he wants to keep the demonstration as "peaceful and civil as possible". A day and time have not been confirmed for the protest at this stage. The city and county councils have said they are in constant dialogue with taxi drivers and that their concerns were taken on board during a public consultation held in the summer of 2021. A further consultation was held on revised proposals in November 2021. But Mr Dimbleby believes taxi drivers are being "disrespected". Image: Norwich Evening News He said: "We are hoping to have 50 to 60 cabs going along to the protest next week. The main argument of the protest is the closure of Exchange Street. "It's impossible for us to do our jobs with it being closed. On the back of that we are still waiting for a fare increase from the council. "We want the road back open as we are a public hire service. There is also a lack of access for wheelchair users and visitors to the city centre." Traffic has been banned from Exchange Street as part of the county council's Connecting The Norwich Lanes project. But cab drivers believe the closure is costing them hundreds of pounds now the city centre loop is inaccessible. Mr Dimbleby continued: "We have always had access to Exchange Street for many, many years. "It makes no sense to close it. We have now got to the point where we feel we have to stage this protest to show enough is enough." Black cab driver Mark Mills, owner of Green Frog Taxis in Dereham Road, is not part of the association and the protest - but he agrees with the principle of the argument. Mr Mills said: "If we want to travel from the station to Guildhall, our fares are going up 25 to 30pc as we are having to go the long way round. "The traffic coming from Grapes Hill towards Chantry Place between 11am and 2pm last Saturday was completely insane. "Now they have taken Exchange Street out of the equation there is only one way in and out." It comes after Norwich woman Lucy Hall, 66, acted as a "human bollard" in the street to protest drivers flouting pedestrianisation rules before being removed by police earlier this month. Image: Norwich Evening News A joint statement by the city and county councils said: "This is an area dominated by people walking around the city, making it an unsuitable route for through traffic. "The scheme makes it safer and easier to get around on foot or by bike, supports outdoor hospitality and the local economy, and improves air quality. "The feedback we have received has been broadly supportive and people are keen to see the pedestrian zone free of traffic. "The city council has been discussing fare levels with the taxi drivers and further talks around the distribution and quantity of taxi rank spaces will take place in the coming months." The statement continued: "Both Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have been in constant dialogue with taxi drivers throughout this process. "We will continue to work with taxi drivers and local businesses as our proposals for the Norwich Lanes progress.” A Freedom of Information (FOI) request put to Norfolk Constabulary by this newspaper shows up to October 14 that four vehicle owners have been punished with a fine for flouting the pedestrian and cycle zone restrictions this year.

Author:	edders23 [ Thu Nov 24, 2022 6:52 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
Quote: "The scheme makes it safer and easier to get around on foot or by bike, but what about the disabled and those not blessed with good legs

Author:	Sussex [ Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
edders23 wrote: Quote: "The scheme makes it safer and easier to get around on foot or by bike, but what about the disabled and those not blessed with good legs If they can't ride a bike then f*** em.

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Nov 30, 2022 7:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
Good turnout here, and it's obviously something they feel very strongly about. But some of what they say seems a bit overwrought, and maybe counterproductive. But I somehow doubt the council would change track anyway Norwich taxi drivers protest Exchange Street car ban https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23 ... t-car-ban/ Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest/Norwich Evening News Cabbies queued up as car horns blared out to protest the closure of Exchange Street to drivers. Between 60 and 70 taxis turned up to voice their defiance over the decision to pedestrianise Exchange Street by the county council as part of its Connecting the Norwich Lanes Project. Craig Dimbleby, chairman of the Norwich Taxi Association headed up the protest, which took place in the Guildhall Hill taxi rank between 11am and 12 noon. He said: "The closure of Exchange Street is absolutely ridiculous - this isn't a police state. "They can't stop our lads from going to work and earning a living, it's as simple as that. "I'm so angry at all of this. "A lot of drivers here have put 30 or 40 years into this city and we've had enough. "We want our streets back." Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest/Norwich Evening News Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: "The changes to Exchange Street that remove general traffic and create a pedestrian and cycle zone have been in place on a temporary basis for over two years. "When we asked people about the proposals last year as part of our Connecting the Lanes consultation, the majority of people supported both the overall project and the proposals on Exchange Street." Those protesting were also quick to slam the idea of the taxi rank being moved as part of the city's 'Levelling Up' bid. Paddy Watson, who has been a black cab driver in the city for 36 years said: "The project won't change anything. "There's still one way out and people will just have to come further to find us. "They can't close Exchange Street - it'll cause absolute chaos. "It's already costing customers about £5 more than what they should be paying. "It's going to take away our livelihood." Mr Dimbleby added: "All the major hubs in the city, train station, bus station and airport - we're the ones who connect them. "This city was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of proper Norfolk people and we want our streets back. "We sincerely apologise to the public for any issues but we've been forced into action." Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest/Norwich Evening News The Community Safety Accredited Scheme (CSAS) were entrusted to stop taxis driving down Exchange Street (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest/Norwich Evening News)

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich HCDs slam plan to relocate city centre rank
I wish the trade well in their campaign, but it's not going to be an easy task to change the blinkered views of council officers and councillors. Once they have made their decisions, and I doubt there was much trade input, they seldom change their minds on this kind of stuff. Basically they believe they are perfect, and the trade is chock a-block full of c****.

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