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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 7:43 pm 
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Quite a lot here, in two separate pieces, and there's a degree of repetition. First is a more general piece about the rank relocation, the second is focused mainly on the trade reaction.

Obviously one of these things that's difficult for outsiders like most of us to evaluate, but I'm sure we've all heard similar arguments locally.

But clearly a big issue in Brighton, both for the trade and the public - there's 20 comments on the Argus's article as I write, which is obviously quite a lot for something like this :shock:


Brighton station taxi rank to move

https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/201 ... k-to-move/

Image
Image: N Chadwick/Brighton & Hove News

After years of campaigning by residents, the Brighton Station taxi rank is finally to move to the back of the station.

People living in Surrey Street, where taxis sometimes queue to get into the rank, have been asking for it to be moved from the front of the station for some years now.

In 2015, the city council announced it would be trialling a move to Terminus Road – but this was scrapped within days following protests from the taxi trade.

But today, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which owns the station, announced it was moving to the back from November 11 – and again, taxi drivers are furious.

GTR’s Lead Facilities Manager Karl McCormack said: “With over 16.5 million passengers using Brighton station every year and increasing visitor numbers to Brighton, the current taxi rank has outgrown the southern entrance – with queuing along Junction Road and Surrey Street now a regular occurrence.

“We have received many representations over a number of years about this issue.

“In response to comments from residents, the local authority and local MPs, we have listened and devised this plan to meet these concerns.

“The relocation of the rank and the ongoing redevelopment of the northern entrance is a partnership initiative between GTR and Brighton and Hove City Council.

“It will deliver a new look to both entrances, a new, larger taxi rank and an improved transport interchange for our passengers, which in turn will reduce congestion.

“We also recognise the potential concern from the taxi trade over the impact of the relocation and we will have a new wayfinding campaign within the station to help passengers find their way to the new rank.”

However, George Beresford of the Independent Taxi Drivers’ union said the new location would add to the already existing gridlock in surrounding streets.

He said: “It’s a disaster for the trade, for the public and for the town.

“It’s an already congested area, New England Street is just gridlock at the weekends and unmanageable from Mondays to Fridays.

“The rank will add 300 cars per hour at peak time to an already overpolluted area and all they have done to accommodate that is put a new set of lights in.

“We’ve spoken to GTR and they say we need to do this because we need to redevelop the front of the station. The council says it’s not their issue, it’s GTR.

“I need to go and speak to the drivers and find out what they want to do, but it’s not something I think we should take lying down.”

Andrew Peters from GMB Brighton and Hove Taxi Section was more circumspect, but said the move will result in higher fares for people wanting to go south.

He said: “For many years the situation of the taxi trade trying to provide a good service for train users has been frustrated by several changes to the station forecourt and road layout with what we understand to be around 300 permits being issued to date for only seventeen spaces with each driver paying the high fee of nearly £1000 per year.

“The trade was made aware of the intended move but so far has not been any consultation with the trade on the actual layout of the new rank as we could have made recommendations on this including such as matters as disability access. Additionally we are not aware of consultation with any disability groups.

“Furthermore with so many permits issued we have major concerns that providing only twenty-nine spaces will not be sufficient. We understand there is a ‘feeding area ’ but the complete full details have not been supplied.

"We also have concerns about what will happen when rail replacement busses will also be using the same space.

“Time will tell as to whether moving the rank to the back will work but the clear facts are that both driving to the back of the station and also exiting is difficult at the best of times and any passenger wanting to go southbound will incur higher fares.”

GTR says by reducing queuing through a larger rank, it will improve traffic flow, particularly in the Surrey Street area.

[The rest of this is presumably GTR's spiel, but there are no quote marks or whatever on the website, but certainly reads like it must have been written by GTR.]

The new taxi rank in Stroudley Street is 50% bigger than the current rank with space for 29 vehicles. There will continue to be space for private cars to drop off passengers, and rail replacement buses will still use the back of the station.

It will enable quicker access to the A270 and A23 for journeys to the north and out of the city as well as maintaining an easy route to the seafront.

For the roads south of the station, the relocation will reduce congestion and remove the bottleneck on the bus interchange.

The new-look northern entrance off Stroudley Road represents a significant investment into the station and the experience of GTR passengers with the continued development of a courtyard area with a café and cycle hub.

At the southern entrance of the station, we will transform the current taxi rank into a welcoming covered pedestrian plaza, which will be used as part of our future queuing plans on major event days – like Brighton Pride.

This will also enable the taxi rank to continue to operate during major events, instead of the current system of temporary closure.


Taxi driver says rank switch at Brighton Station is 'utter madness'

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1793891 ... r-madness/

CABBIES have described plans to move a train station taxi rank as “utter madness”.

The Argus reported that Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will move the rank outside the front of Brighton Station to the back of it, in Stroudley Road, on November 11.

But taxi drivers in the city have expressed their fury at the decision, with one driver labelling the move as “the most bizarre idea I have ever heard”.

Gavin Castle, from Patcham, has been a cab driver in Brighton for more than 25 years.

The 48-year-old said: “This is disgraceful. Most of the commuters coming from the station are going to the seafront or southbound at least.

“In New England Road (where taxis will exit the new rank) at peak times, it can be murder to even move.

“If you have got to go from the back of the station to the seafront it will probably add on 20 minutes to your journey and add another 50 per cent onto many passengers' fares.

“It’s the most bizarre idea I have ever heard. I feel so sorry for the people who will have to queue up for the cabs and whose journeys will take longer.”

For cabbies to use the taxi rank at Brighton station a permit must be purchased from GTR.

Mr Castle said: “I do not have a permit for the front of the station which is used at the moment but I have friends who use it all the time.

“Getting back to the back of the station from Hove, from the seafront or from Kemp Town, it will be a nightmare.

“If you ask 100 taxi drivers I imagine not one single driver will think this is a good idea.

“On a business note, as well, it’s the worst idea I have ever heard of.”

Rail replacement bus services also leave from the area, sparking concerns about further congestion.

Mr Castle said: “When the rail replacement buses have to be used it will cause a problem but I don’t think it’s the biggest issue here.

“Our job is all about getting people to their destination and this will really affect that.

“I have been a cab driver in Brighton for 25 years and most passengers coming out of the station want to go towards the seafront.

“Looking at the logistics of this move of the taxi rank, it’s madness.”

Another driver also expressed concern over the impracticality of the move.

He said: “The elderly, disabled and young families now have to walk twice the length of a train to get a much-needed taxi.

“All for what? More retail and income for GTR?"

He dubbed the move an “absolute disgrace”.

The move will see the station forecourt turned into a “welcoming covered pedestrian plaza”, a GTR spokesman said.

GTR’s lead facilities manager Karl McCormack said: “The current taxi rank has outgrown the southern entrance – with queueing along Junction Road and Surrey Street now a regular occurrence.

“We have received many representations over a number of years about this issue.

“In response to comments from residents, the local authority and local MPs, we have listened and devised this plan to meet these concerns.”

GTR also said this rank will be 50 per cent bigger and will have space for 29 vehicles.

To ensure commuters are aware of the rank, new banners will be put in the station.

Vinyl floor arrows and announcements on trains will also direct people.

Mr McCormack said: “The relocation of the rank and the ongoing redevelopment of the northern entrance is a partnership initiative between GTR and Brighton and Hove City Council.

“It will deliver a new look to both entrances, a new, larger taxi rank and an improved transport interchange for our passengers, which in turn will reduce congestion.

“We also recognise the potential concern from the taxi trade over the impact of the relocation and we will have a new way-finding campaign within the station to help passengers find their way to the new rank.”

GTR said the move will enable quicker access to the A270 and A23 for journeys out of the city.

The new taxi rank will continue to operate during major events. The current system is for temporary closures of the rank on these occasions.

If this has affected you, email harry.bullmore@theargus.co.uk


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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 7:57 pm 
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This will have a massive effect on the work the hackney trade gain from the station.

In short the rank is being moved from the prime position it has had for over 100 years, to the tradesman's entrance around the back.

Most punters get off the train and head south, but now the rank is being moved north to around the back. For those drivers it's now going to be a pain getting punters to where they want to go, unless the punters want to go north.

However, for all those permit holders who work the station it's all their own f***ing fault. For years and years the idiots have blocked the front of the station nearly every night.

This has pi**ed off the local council, the local bus company, those licensed drivers that haven't got permits (hacks and PH), local residents, other road users, and just about everyone else that isn't listed above.

They have had warning after warning after warning, and now ladies and gents its too late.

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:25 pm 
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here we go again every council in Britain wants to shove the taxis out of the way

and whats the betting the space will be reused for buses

Quote:
However, for all those permit holders who work the station it's all their own f***ing fault. For years and years the idiots have blocked the front of the station nearly every night.


is that entirely the fault of the drivers or greedy rail bosses issuing too many permits ?

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:45 pm 
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edders23 wrote:
is that entirely the fault of the drivers or greedy rail bosses issuing too many permits ?

Bit of both.

But drivers aren't forced to buy permits if they wish to work elsewhere, and no one has the right to block a major junction every night for the last 20 years.

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:48 pm 
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Sussex wrote:
edders23 wrote:
is that entirely the fault of the drivers or greedy rail bosses issuing too many permits ?

Bit of both.

But drivers aren't forced to buy permits if they wish to work elsewhere, and no one has the right to block a major junction every night for the last 20 years.



well lets see if the buses keep the junction clear :wink:

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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:16 pm 
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What about the private hire or the London plated Ubers? Where will,they pick up from?


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PostPosted: Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:27 pm 
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187ums2 wrote:
What about the private hire or the London plated Ubers? Where will,they pick up from?


Maybe Uber will get their own waiting area :badgrin: as per this from Bristol Airport a couple of weeks ago :shock:

Suspect it's open to all PHVs, though, but it's being spun as an UberZone. Although by the sounds of it Uber have been instrumental in getting the zone implemented.


Bristol Airport to open specialised waiting zones for Uber cars

https://www.internationalairportreview. ... zone-uber/

In a bid to reduce traffic impacts on surrounding areas, Bristol Airport has made a specific zone for Ubers collecting passengers.

Drivers who use Uber will now use a new waiting zone at Bristol Airport from October 2019, helping to reduce the number of vehicles parking in lanes and laybys in close proximity to the airport.

The transport giant will ‘geo-fence’ the new area, which is located just off the A38 roundabout serving the airport’s Silver Zone car park. This means that drivers can only be dispatched to the terminal to pick up passengers if they are in the waiting zone.

The waiting zone will open in October 2019 and comes in response to calls for action from neighbouring communities concerned about the impact of inconsiderate parking by taxis and other vehicles causing disturbance and even obstructing access to properties.

The waiting zone will also be open to private cars, providing an hour’s free period as an alternative to the existing Drop-and-Go area adjacent to the terminal. A shuttle bus will operate between the terminal and the waiting zone every 10 minutes. The airport’s official taxi partner, Arrow Cars, will continue to drop off and pick up directly outside the terminal.

Tom Hack, Head of Commercial at Bristol Airport, said: “We are delighted that drivers who use the Uber app will be using this new facility. It will help to reduce disturbance to our neighbours while providing drivers with a safe and secure place to wait between fares.”

Eugenie Teasley, Uber Head of Cities, South England, said: “We are really excited to be working with Bristol Airport. It is our goal to move people from A to B, all at the touch of a button, and by working with Bristol Airport, we hope to make it easier for people to get to and from the airport.”


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:01 am 
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well the one at Heathrow is open to all so unless Uber have bought and paid for it so must this one

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:22 am 
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187ums2 wrote:
What about the private hire or the London plated Ubers? Where will,they pick up from?

There is a long established taxi/PH office just down from the station who have a good relationship with the largest taxi/PH firm in the City. Plans are to refurbish the ground floor to make it a very nice waiting room and booking office.

Most Ubers currently wait near where the taxi rank is going to be, so that will be fun.

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:50 pm 
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I think more likely Ubers will "move" south

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 02, 2019 7:12 pm 
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edders23 wrote:
I think more likely Ubers will "move" south

Depends if Uber change their pick up point, as getting from the front to the back of the station is at least a 5-10 minute drive.

Which is why the hacks are not happy bunnies.

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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:06 am 
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Green party praises Brighton station taxi rank move

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1795057 ... rank-move/

THE decision to move a railway station’s taxi rank has been met with mixed reviews.

The rank outside Brighton Station will be relocated to the back of it, in Stroudley Road, on November 11.

Stroudley Road is the northern entrance to the station.

Taxi drivers expressed their outrage at the decision with one dubbing it “the most bizarre idea I have ever heard”.

But since then members of the Green Party and several residents from the area have voiced their support for the move.

St Peter’s and North Laine city councillor Lizzie Dean said she “welcomed the news” and urged train company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which is responsible for the move, to also tackle the problems of “engine idling, traffic fumes, noise and late night disturbance”.

She said: “Residents will be pleased that GTR has finally taken the decision to relocate the taxi rank to the rear of the train station, freeing up the narrow residential streets they live on from traffic fumes, congestion and noise.

“This news will be particularly welcomed by people living on Surrey Street and Upper Gloucester Road where day-long traffic queues have become commonplace.

“Greens repeatedly urged the railway company to acknowledge residents’ concerns, arranging public meetings and also raising this at council committees.

“The existing arrangement has been far from ideal, even for car drivers as Surrey Street in particular has become overly congested.

“Buses also find it hard to get through to the station.”

Reacting to the news that the taxi rank would be moving, cabbie Gavin Castle, 48, from Patcham, raised concerns over the likely increase in journey times to the seafront – as taxis would have to leave the station travelling in the opposite direction.

He said: “In New England Road (where taxis will exit the new rank) at peak times, it can be murder to even move.

“If you have got to go from the back of the station to the seafront it will probably add on 20 minutes to your journey and add another 50 per cent on to many passengers’ fares.

“I feel so sorry for the people who will have to queue up for the cabs and whose journeys will take longer.”

But Cllr Dean responded to this claim.

She said: “It is also hoped that any longer journeys southbound will be counterbalanced by shorter journeys to other parts of the city.

“Overall, I believe there will be benefits for everyone with this new arrangement, and I encourage GTR to reach out to as many groups as possible in order to make sure their plans for the new rank are as accessible and user-friendly as possible.”

This praise was matched by Surrey Street resident Zimran Samuel who said: “This is a positive change that will benefit the immediate area.

“Residents are hugely grateful to their dedicated representatives such as Caroline Lucas MP and Councillor Lizzie Deane for advocating for the strength of the views held by their constituents.”


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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:36 am 
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Quote:
She said: “Residents will be pleased that GTR has finally taken the decision to relocate the taxi rank to the rear of the train station, freeing up the narrow residential streets they live on from traffic fumes, congestion and noise.


so the extra 5 to 10 minutes on most journeys will reduce fumes will it ?

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PostPosted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:34 pm 
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The Green Councillor is actually a nice person, who was one of the councillors that voted to remove Uber's ops license, thus she isn't anti taxi. Far from it.

However she is a local Councillor who has had years of grief from local residents complaining about the f***wits blocking the road, so her support for the move isn't that surprising.

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PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:47 am 
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Who'd have anticipated that this would happen :roll:


Taxi drivers caught ignoring rules over a new rank location

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1804253 ... -location/

Image
Image: Brighton Argus

COUNCIL chiefs say they will step up patrols to stop drivers ignoring the rules over a new taxi rank location.

Cabbies were told to switch to a new site behind Brighton Railway Station last week as part of plans to transform the foyer at the front.

The decision was made by Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs the station.

Queueing taxis had led to a bottleneck in the area, causing delays for buses and other traffic in the surrounding streets.

Taxi drivers were told to queue in Stroudley Road, behind the station, instead.

The change was introduced on Monday last week, but after just a few days, some taxis were still being spotted parking outside the front of the station.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it has received a “number of complaints” that the new taxi rank location is being ignored.

Taxis and private hire cars are legally allowed to drop people off on yellow lines and at bus stops, unless the bus stop has a no entry sign.

But the authority has warned drivers they must not “wait or tout” in areas they are not permitted to be in.

One Argus reader took a picture of errant drivers and said: “This is why the taxi rank was moved to the back.

“But as you can see taxis are ignoring the move and still blocking bus stops and Surrey Street.

“By doing so they are in breach of their licence.”

The change to the taxi rank location was welcomed by North Laine Green Party councillor Lizzie Deane.

She said: “Residents will be pleased that GTR has finally taken the decision to relocate the taxi rank to the rear of the train station, freeing up the narrow residential streets they live on from traffic fumes, congestion and noise.

“This news will be particularly welcomed by people living on Surrey Street and Upper Gloucester Road where day-long traffic queues had become commonplace.”

In a statement the city council said: “We have had a small number of complaints from drivers stating that other drivers are queueing up at the front of the station, rather than using the new rank at the rear of Brighton station.

“A lot of cabs already use the bay outside the Grand Central pub. Taxis are not allowed to queue in any of these areas and must move on as soon as they have dropped off.

“Hackney carriages can be flagged down if passing, but they cannot wait or tout and must return to a council-appointed rank in accordance with by-laws.

“Civil enforcement officers patrol the area and licensing officers will also be increasing their checks on this area. Any licensed driver that continues to ignore the Highway Code can expect enforcement action.”
===================================================================

And if this comment is to be believed then the chaos at the front has just been transferred to the new rank location round the back.

Who'd have anticipated that too? :-s

Quote:
The back of the station is now an utter clusterf@&£. On Friday night it was tipping down so people waiting at the rank stood under the canopy so people couldn't exit at the rear of the station and bike users couldn't get their bikes out. Add to that bumper-to-bumper traffic and people walking by between cars everywhere without any regard for bikes, I give it a few weeks before there's a serious casualty. Traffic marshals are needed at the rear.


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