Taxi Driver Online

Gridlock fear over taxi protest


TAXI drivers planned to cause gridlock in a Valleys town centre today in protest at council plans to relocate their taxi rank for eight days.

Merthyr Tydfil council says the temporary closure, from November 15 to 23, is necessary to allow regeneration improvement work at the junction of Victoria Street and High Street to be completed.

Bt the cabbies argue their livelihoods will be hit, that people won't pass the bus station to cross a busy road with shopping to reach taxis in Glebeland Place near the law courts, where the council wants to temporarily relocate them.

At a meeting last night (Tues) attended by around 40 cabbies, it was agreed to stage a convoy for an hour around the streets today to bring town centre traffic to a standstill.

And they pledge to repeat it daily "for as long as it takes" the council to show some leeway.

They are consulting a barrister and considering applying for an injunction to prevent the road closure, and setting up a fighting fund.

They have also called on AM Huw Lewis for support.

Peter Griffiths, owner of A1 Cabs, told Media Wales they have told the council they have a workable solution if the area was marshalled.

From a waiting area they want just eight taxis at a time to be allowed to use the normal Wheatsheaf Lane access.

They would queue behind Victoria Street and then one at a time access Victoria Street as far as Crosswoods corner, pick up a fare, turn around and travel back out the same way - normally they would drive down Victorian Street and on to High Street.

Mr Griffiths says they have been advised by the National Association of Taxi Drivers’ barrister that the council action is unlawful.

“The council has stated it is doing it under the Emergency Road Traffic Act,” said Mr Griffiths.

“We understand they can only close a road under emergency powers if it’s gas, electricity or water involved, or road collapse.

“They can't do it if it's planned work. They have to give 28 days notice otherwise.

“A notice hasn't been published in the press. They haven’t followed the proper procedures.

“We had no notification off the council ourselves. One driver heard through a cafe owner and rang the council.

“The police are not happy about where we are being relocated near the law courts. It's illegal for us to park there as there are double yellow lines and if we park there, every Tom, Dick and Harry will.

He said there had been no re-assurance from the council that they would be able to return to the old rank.

“We are worried about our livelihoods, we are not going to earn a penny if the rank is at the law courts. I’m going to lose a lot of money over it.

“No one’s going to walk past a bus station with a load of shopping and cross a busy road to find taxis when they can catch a bus.

“All we want is a marshall-controlled area, then there's no danger. Delivery lorries are being allowed access.

“We just want some leeway.

“What if the work isn't finished in eight days?

“They said the town improvements would be finished - how long ago?

“We’ve told the police we are going to protest but that it will be a peaceful protest.

“We wont be breaking the law.”

In a statement Merthyr council has said: “It is inaccurate to state that the taxi operators learned of the impending closure from the shopkeepers; the reverse was true.”

“It is not possible during the closure to allow taxis and other transient traffic vehicles access in the same way as delivery vehicles which are few in number.

“Access to Wheatsheaf Lane and Victoria Street will be restricted to permit holders and delivery vehicles only via a manned gate.

“For safety reasons all traffic movements within the single lane width of Wheatsheaf Lane will be carefully controlled as access and egress will be via this route.

“The Glebeland Place location was determined as the best available option, being convenient to the main shopping area.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

New Organisation?

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

What else are the folks wanting a cab going to do then?

Make sure the signage is right and/or get the council to pay for a marshall or two to point them in the right direction.

Or some student with a sign pointing the way.

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IDFIMH