Well this rambles on a bit. And lots of official statements and the like from various people not really saying very much
And I'd guess that where there is a bit of detail it's not wholly accurate, or that the blather here would be better replaced by important omitted detail, but I'll leave the nitty gritty to Sussex.
I'd also guess, as per numerous previous articles on this, that he'll take a slightly different view to Mr Peters.
The photos are of the old station arrangement c. 2015, but presumably the photo of Mr Peters is recent.
Calls for return of taxi rank at front of Brighton Stationhttps://www.theargus.co.uk/news/2515670 ... n-station/A cabbie boss is calling for a taxi rank to be reinstated at the front of the city’s railway station amid "antisocial parking" blocking buses and pedestrians.
Image: The ArgusA cabbie boss is calling for a taxi rank to be reinstated at the front of the city’s railway station amid "antisocial parking" blocking buses and pedestrians.
The decision to relocate it from the front of the building to the rear in November 2019 was welcomed by councillors and residents, who were impacted by “traffic fumes, congestion and noise”.
However, taxi drivers heralded the decision as “utter madness”.
Now, Andrew Peters, who represents the Brighton and Hove Cab Trade Association, is calling for the rank to return to its original spot.
Mr Peters, who has been driving taxis in Brighton and Hove for 42 years, said: “The current situation is regarded by the trade as a comedy of errors with bad planning by the council at the time that has resulted in the shambles that we have to contend with today."
This comes as calls have grown to sort out what senior councillor Trevor Muten described as the "antisocial parking of taxis" in front of the station, blocking buses and people on foot.
Mr Peters added that “out-of-town” private hire cars from places such as Chichester and Portsmouth park at the front of the station in the hopes of securing a job, leaving local trade competing with Uber cars.
Brighton and Hove City Council said that it is open to considering better arrangements at the station, however vehicles parking at the front of the building “cannot continue”.
Southern, which manages Brighton railway station, said it was open to meeting with the cab trade association and council about the issue.
The veteran cab driver explained how the issue had come about.
He said: “The situation at the station is a result of the long established rank at the front being closed and a new one placed at the back in 2019 which was a joint decision at the time made by GTR and the council.
Image: The Argus“This was despite objections being raised by the local taxi trade that predicted the problems that we now see.
“There were indeed issues being raised about taxis queuing up to get to the front rank when it was there.
“However, this was caused by the huge amount of unlimited permits that were constantly being issued by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) for a rank with around fifteen spaces.
“For a long time, taxis could drive into the station forecourt, drop-off and drive out which was so simple.
“But that was stopped when the station forecourt was paved over.”
Mr Peters reported that prior to the closure of the front rank, the taxi trade forum reviewed various other location options, including Terminus Road and Frederick Place.
He added that “only Brighton and Hove hackney taxis (white and aqua) that have permits are allowed full entry to the back of the station”, while others without permits, including private hire cars, will be fined.
“There is also the increased cost of the fare of dropping passengers off at the rear car park with the heavy traffic in New England Road and New England Street”, Mr Peters said.
“What we have seen is that there are some Brighton and Hove hackney taxis waiting on a section of the bus stop that has no markings which is considered a no-man's land.
Image: The Argus“While this is not supported by the majority of the local taxi trade, there is clearly a public demand for an official rank at the front of the station, especially for visitors to the city who automatically walk to the front and indeed customers who want to be dropped at the front.
“We believe there is a way to have a rank at the front, but to do that would involve the council engaging with the trade and making a solid commitment to bring the rank back to the front."
Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “We are always open to suggestions and ideas from the local community, and I am in regular contact with the Brighton and Hove Cab Association and GTR.
“We’re certainly keen to listen to and to work with taxi operators, GTR and Network Rail to make arrangements work better for everyone and take a more strategic approach to this issue.
“The current pattern of buses being blocked and pavement access restricted by antisocial parking by taxis cannot continue; not only is it unacceptable but it is causing problems to other road users and pedestrians, delaying buses and making it hard for people to move freely and safely to and from the station.
“There is limited space at the front of the station, and previous arrangements before the rank was moved to the north of the station were also negatively impacting buses, residents and visitors.
“We are looking at a more strategic approach that works better and we are listening to the taxi trade, bus operators and residents to improve the situation for all. In the short term, we would ask everyone to consider others and be more considerate as we work through options to improve.
“It is also worth noting that both the current site and the former site are on Network Rail land; any changes would need to be made in collaboration with GTL and Network Rail.”
A spokesman for Southern, which manages Brighton station, said: “The taxi rank at Brighton was moved to the rear of the station in 2019 following a lengthy consultation with the council, taxi drivers’ unions and GTR.
“Since then, the station environment at Brighton has proved safer, more welcoming and easier to navigate for both visitors to the city and regular commuters.
“Traffic at the front of the station was reduced almost overnight, with buses able to use the stops at the front of the station without any obstructions.
“We are, of course, open to meeting with the cab trade association and council to understand how we can work together to best support our passengers with their onward journeys.”
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