Stockton cabbies lose bus lane battle STOCKTON cabbies have lost their battle to be allowed to use bus lanes on the town’s high street and across the borough.
The Stockton Hackney Carriage Driver Association (SHCDA) argued their taxis provide public transport and were being disadvantaged in not being allowed to use bus lanes.
The cabbies said in some cases they had to make longer journeys because they cannot use bus lanes and this could lead to issues with passengers.
The SHCDA also pointed to the fact a number of other local authorities allow taxis in bus lanes, as well as arguing they need to drop off disabled passengers in the central part of Stockton high street.
Javid Khazir, secretary of the SHCDA, told a meeting of Stockton Council’s cabinet: “We have been asking for the use of bus lanes since 2004. We can only provide a better service if we are allowed to use bus lanes. The fact is we just wouldn’t create a problem.”
But a report to cabinet raised a number of concerns from the council’s officers if cabs were given bus lane access.
The report, by Mike Chicken, built and natural environment manager, said there were concerns over road safety, “particularly in contra-flow bus lanes where manoeuvres and turning would be in conflict with the main flow of traffic”.
The move could also “impact on journey times for bus services”, the report went on, as well as it being difficult to enforce.
If Hackney carriages were given bus lane access, this would then be challenged by the private hire trade “leading to an increased number of vehicles in bus lanes”, the report said.
Stockton has just over 300 licensed Hackney carriages and just under 300 private hire vehicles.
Cabinet, which voted to reject the SHCDA’s request, was told a permit system already exists to allow taxis to drop off disabled passengers in the central High Street. These permits will now be made free of charge instead of the £10 annual fee.
The meeting was also updated on the ongoing £20m regeneration of Stockton town centre.
Over the last few months the refurbishment of the historic Town Hall and the £1.9m investment in Stockton Central Library has been completed.
Improvements are being made to the town's heritage buildings and construction has started on the multi-million-pound North Shore mixed–use regeneration scheme on the banks of the river Tees.
This year alone nearly 50 new businesses have set up, expanded or relocated to Stockton Town Centre.
The cabinet approved funding to progress the first stage of major works, including improvements at the northern and southern ends of the High Street and demolition of Lindsay House to open up access to the river and create a flexible events and parking area.
This stage will begin in the spring when construction starts at the southern end of the High Street. Meanwhile, work will begin at Maxwell’s Corner early next year.
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