This story has been knocking around for a couple of days now
But, ironically, because it's one of my pet subjects I think that's why I couldn't be bothered with it
East Renfrewshire taxi drivers call for action over parking at stances
https://www.eastrennews.co.uk/news/2667 ... g-stances/
Taxi drivers are demanding action over persistent illegal parking in East Renfrewshire.
Image: ERLDA/East Renfrewshire News
The East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers' Association (ERLDA) is calling on East Renfrewshire Council to tackle parking at designated taxi stances.
It comes after a photo shows all four spaces at the Mearns Road, Clarkston, taxi stance were completely occupied by other vehicles.
The ERLDA says illegal parking at designated stances has been raised regularly by representatives through the East Renfrewshire Hire Car Forum, where they meet with council officials to discuss matters affecting the licensed trade.
The association says despite these discussions, they have seen little evidence of improvement.
John Munn, taxi representative of the ERLDA, said: "Taxi drivers are regularly arriving at designated taxi stances only to find they can't get access because the spaces are being occupied by other vehicles.
"These stances are provided for licensed taxis to wait for passengers. When they're blocked, it affects drivers trying to do their jobs and members of the public who rely on these services.
"This isn't an occasional problem. It's something drivers have been complaining about for a long time, and it's frustrating that we're still having to raise the same concerns.
"We shouldn't have to compete with illegally parked vehicles for spaces that are specifically designated for licensed taxis.
"We need proper enforcement to make sure these stances are available when drivers need them."
The council has previously advised that enforcement is restricted by a shortage of parking enforcement wardens.
The ERLDA is also questioning what steps have been taken to address these shortages.
John Paul Duffy, general secretary of ERLDA, said: “If the council doesn't have enough parking enforcement wardens to effectively enforce its own restrictions, then it needs to explain what it's doing to address that shortage.
"Simply telling the trade there aren't enough wardens isn't a solution.
"We recognise that employing additional staff comes at a cost, but parking enforcement also generates income through penalty charges.
"Has the council properly assessed whether additional enforcement resources could be financially sustainable?
"We're not suggesting enforcement should be used as a money-making exercise.
"Its purpose is to ensure compliance with parking restrictions and keep designated spaces available for their intended use."
The ERLDA has previously suggested installing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at problem taxi stances, particularly Mearns Road in Clarkston and Kennishead Road in Thornliebank.
According to the association, council officials have cited the costs of installing cameras and accessing DVLA vehicle registration information as reasons for not progressing the proposals.
Mr Duffy continued: "We've suggested practical solutions, including ANPR technology at the worst-affected taxi stances, but we're told the costs would be too high.
"We'd like to know what those figures actually are. Has a formal assessment been carried out?
"Have alternative systems been explored? Could a small-scale trial be considered?
"If these proposals aren't financially or legally viable, then the council should explain why and tell us what alternative measures it intends to introduce."
The ERLDA is now calling on the council to provide a formal response addressing enforcement staffing, whether it has assessed the cost of additional wardens against potential penalty charge income, the estimated cost and legal feasibility of ANPR technology, what immediate action will be taken, and a timescale on when improvements will begin and how success will be measured.
An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "We have ongoing discussions with representatives of East Renfrewshire Licensed Drivers' Association in relation to this matter.
"Our community safety officers are aware of the problematic locations, and where illegal parking is observed, then penalty notices are issued.
"We will continue to make drivers aware of the need to park responsibly and not in designated taxi ranks."
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