Taxi Driver Online

Burnley Express

May 23, 2008

Drivers fined for using town centre street

DRIVERS who block access for black cabs and buses by parking in Hammerton Street have been warned they are in danger of being fined.

Police officers, backed by town centre police community support officer Frank Franco and the council's chief licensing officer for taxis, Charles Goodwill, stopped almost 30 motorists who were using the road as a short cut or intending to park or wait there.

Some of these were private hire taxis, which do not have the same rights as the Hackney carriages to use Hammerton Street.

As police officers Peter Fyans and Faz Mahmed, who is the town centre community beat manager, advised motorists about using a different route, Mr Goodwill also checked taxi drivers' licences and that the vehicles were in order.

Ten drivers were issued with on-the-spot fines of £30 for using the bus and Hackney carriage-only route, while 15 more were given advice about alternative routes.

PCSO Franco said that the problem of illegal vehicles blocking access had been identified at a PACT meeting and Burnley police had been pleased to respond accordingly.

"Private cars were causing problems for buses," he explained. "Quite a lot of motorists use the road and block it by parking. We verbally warned or fined then according to the situation."
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