This is an utter cracker
If this was in PHTM, or whatever, you'd almost think it was the 1 April issue
Businessman says moving Greenock taxi rank could help save planet
Image: Greenock Telegraph
AN Inverclyde businessman says changing the location of one of Greenock's busiest taxi ranks could help to save the planet.
John Burleigh believes moving the taxi rank outside Tesco in Greenock to the stretch of road down towards the Oak Mall lights on Dalrymple Street will ease congestion and put a stop to vehicle idling.
Mr Burleigh, who was a Liberal Democrat candidate in the Inverclyde Council election in 2021, claims that as the road is on a slight downward gradient, taxi drivers would be able to switch their engine off and roll down bit by bit using the handbrake.
Image: Greenock Telegraph
Alongside reducing harmful emissions, he said the change would stop traffic bottlenecking at the Tesco entrance on Container Way, making things easier for drivers, commuters and customers.
Mr Burleigh has been in touch with Inverclyde Council, Tesco management and environmental organisation Earthshot about the plan.
He added: "Dalrymple Street is a perfect location for this as there's a gravity-feed system and drivers will just be able to simply roll down the hill.
"You could get more than 10 cars lined up with each one just moving down a bit when the one in front drives off.
Image: Greenock Telegraph
"It would be good for Tesco as it would take away the congestion, disruption and chaos which ensues at busy shopping times.
"If the rank was moved to Dalrymple Street, the taxis would not interfere with customers' cars.
"Figures show that an idling car fills the equivalent of 150 balloons worth of harmful emissions every minute.
"Switching off engines can go along way to improving air quality - and will save on fuel for cabbies too."
Image: Greenock Telegraph
Mr Burleigh is proposing to remove the bus stop that currently sits at that side of Tesco and says that would work as there's already one on the Container Way side.
The former teacher reckons if all taxi ranks across Inverclyde were build on a downward gradient, there would be a significant reduction in harmful emissions.
He added: "Moving the rank would benefit everyone. In my mind, everyone would win if we push this through."
An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said any proposal for a new taxi rank would have to go through the correct process.
They added: "There is a list of designated taxi stances which also stipulates how many vehicles can use each stance.
"Any request received for a new or amended stance would need to go through the necessary statutory processes, and require consent from and consultation with all relevant stakeholders including the trade, roads authority, police, and the public, before it could be introduced."
The Tele have also approached Tesco for comment.
Image: Greenock Telegraph
