Taxi Rank Is Given The Green Light
16th September 2008
A taxi rank for shoppers and late-night revellers has been approved for Walton — but it could be 18 months before it finally comes into operation.
Councillors agreed on Monday night to a six-month trial of the three-car-long rank in the service road on New Zealand Avenue.
Proposals for the rank, which proponents hope would broaden the opportunities for people to use public transport and reduce late-night disorder in the town by helping to disperse drinkers, were put out for consultation earlier this year.
The majority of respondents in favour were hackney carriage drivers, while a clear majority of businesses and residents objected to the proposals, arguing that the rank could attract trouble and would reduce the number of parking spaces available to shoppers.
Members of the Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) licensing committee agreed unanimously to a trial period, although they settled on reviewing the situation after six months rather than the previously planned year.
They also delayed its implementation to coincide with the preparation for the controlled parking zone (CPZ) planned for the town in late 2009.
This will allow the estimated £2,300 cost of advertising and changing the parking regulations to be absorbed by Surrey County Council (SCC), rather than being borne by Elmbridge.
It is also hoped that more short-term parking spaces can be freed up in the town at the same time as the wider shake up of parking regulations.
The cost of painting lines and erecting new signage for the taxi rank is expected to be around £500 to £700.
Arguing against a delay, Cllr Nigel Cooper warned his colleagues that they would be seen by residents to be dithering.
“What will we say to the public after this meeting? How are we going to justify this?” he said. “This council will be seen to be dragging its heels.
“It will not take place for 18 months because this committee is dragging its feet over £3,000. Let’s get on with it and get it in. We should not attach a CPZ to this.”
However, Cllr Mike Ben-nison, who also sits as a county councillor, pointed out that it would take SCC up to 18 months to two years to implement the changes even if the go-ahead were given right away.
His opinion was echoed by Cllr Tannia Shipley.
She said: “I think we have put this off not for the sake of the money, but because we won’t get it any earlier.”
Chairman of the committee Cllr Chris Elmer insisted it was right to wait for the CPZ.
He played down fears of further delays, pointing out that SCC had given the Walton CPZ a high priority with promises that it would be introduced by late 2009.
“Taxpayers will be grateful for us being careful,” he said.
Source; getsurrey.co.uk
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