Council throws out plans for bigger Bromsgrove taxi rank
THE CHAIRPERSON of Bromsgrove Taxi Association has said he is hopeful a decision can be reached over a new longer rank on Worcester Road.
Lea Eacock spoke after initial plans to increase the size of the current rank were thrown out by Bromsgrove District Council's Licensing Committee.
We reported back in May how plans had been drawn up to increase the size of the rank from three to seven or eight cars.
The town's two nightspots which open the latest are also in Worcester Road - B61 which is open until 2.30am on a Friday and Saturday night and Love2Love which is open until 3.30am.
The rejection of the proposal came after objections to the new design from several local businesses in the area, along with West Mercia Police's traffic management advisor and Worcestershire County Council's senior traffic management engineers.
Concerns included visibility issues for motorists using Worcester Road, the potential obstruction to larger vehicles exiting George Street, the loss of parking spaces for the businesses' customers, access, safety of pedestrians and increased risk of flooding caused by any road widening.
But Mr Eacock said the licensing committee meeting was quite productive.
"Although the initial proposal was rejected, the licensing committee has put forward an alternative proposal that would be acceptable Bromsgrove Taxi Association and to council members.
"This new proposal will now have to go though the normal procedures and then back out to public consultation, before any decision is made.
"I am hopeful that this will be a compromising solution to resolve this issue."
One of the proposals mooted could see the increased taxi rank moved further down Worcester Road where it is wider, from the zebra crossing to Love2Love.
Mr Eacock said it was the taxi association's priority to work with the council and other bodies to resolve these and many other issues, whilst aiming to provide the public with a safe, comfortable and reliable taxi service from all ranks throughout Bromsgrove district.
And he added it was also a priority to ensure there was little impact and disruption on the surrounding and to provide the taxi trade with workable and productive ranks.
The next licensing committee meeting is not scheduled until March, but a Bromsgrove District Council spokesperson said a meeting would be held with partners to discuss the options to see if a better plan could be put together.
And, he added, if that was the case, another licensing committee meeting could be held before March.
Read more: Council throws out plans for bigger Bromsgrove taxi rank | Bromsgrove Standard
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