Taxi Driver Online

Usual county council trying to sideline the taxis, but at least the local councillors seem to be siding with the drivers - even the Greens


Oxfordshire cabbies furious about town's high street plans

https://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/new ... eet-plans/

Taxi drivers are furious about a council's plans for Witney's high street.

Among the Witney ‘highway improvements’ scheme put forward by Oxfordshire County Council is a new zebra crossing in Welch Way and traffic calming features.

However, it is the plan to reduce the main taxi rank in Market Square from seven to three spaces during the day that has infuriated cabbies in the town.

Drivers have pointed out this reduction could impact vulnerable and elderly residents most of all, who make up a sizable portion of those they pick up from the town centre

Olivia Hickman, a local driver, said: “Reducing the taxi rank by more than half is effectively shutting out vulnerable residents from the town centre.

“It’s not just about us as drivers. It’s about the people we serve.

“Without sufficient taxi spaces, people who cannot walk long distances, or who cannot use buses, will simply be left behind.”

She is encouraging as many people as possible to give their views to the consultation which ends on Friday, October 17: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wit ... ighway2025

However, Oxfordshire County Council has said the downsize is a result of “an extra bus stop” being delivered.

A spokesman for the county council said: “A new bus stop is suggested outside the Cross Quays public house on Market Square.”

This would impact some taxi spaces while it is in use although the stop could be used flexibly by cabbies to pick up passengers during weekday evenings, from 2pm on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

In addition they said they are considering “suitable changes, which may include creating new taxi bays nearby”.

Mohammed Hasam, 32, who has been driving for five years said if the scheme is approved in its current form, it will “make life a lot harder”.

Abdul Hamid, 44 from Tammi’s Taxi’s, said the move didn’t make sense when the council is handing our more taxi driver licenses.

He said: “If there isn’t enough space for taxi drivers, why are you giving out so many licenses?"

Councillor Thomas Ashby of both the district and county council urged local government to re-engage.

The Conservative said: “One solution to this would be for the taxi rank to be at a 45-degree angle, allowing more taxis to park up and serve those in our community who heavily rely on them."

Meanwhile Duncan Enright, chairman of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee, said Witney councillors had instructed officers to find a solution.

The Labour politician said: “The plans for the town centre must include respect for the role taxis play in public transport, particularly for older and more vulnerable people.”

Mr Enright is also deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, a spokesperson for which said the authority had been “involved in discussions about the plans where we have highlighted the importance of maintaining accessible transport options”.

Green councillors Andrew Prosser and Sandra Simpson said they had pushed for retaining access to the high street for taxis and were pleased that “this access has been retained”.

A statement from the councillors added: “There obviously needs to be a careful balance between the number of taxi bays, space for pedestrians, and other high street users such as blue-badge holders and buses.”

They want rid of the taxis, but will then moan if there are no taxis there when the buses aren't operating