Another one, but the visually impaired woman maybe in danger by trying to get into a member of the public's car after a shopping trip is perhaps a bit different from the intoxicated women getting into rapists' cars in Fife...
Waitrose shoppers anger taxi drivers by parking in drop-off spothttps://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23 ... -shoppers/
Image: Bracknell NewsConcerned taxi drivers across Bracknell have slammed shoppers who are treating their taxi rank as a drop-off point and car park.Over the last five years, drivers have seen the established rank at the town centre Waitrose taken over by private taxis and ‘unconcerned shoppers'.
This has therefore started a worrying trend which includes the loss of business for Hackney drivers.
President of the Bracknell Taxi Driver Association, Manoj Lacximicanta Napoleão said: “This situation has been an ongoing problem for five years but it’s only in the last 2 years that we have went to the council about it.
“There are private taxis and even shoppers that will decide to park on the rank if they need to drop into Waitrose.
“This means that some of our drivers are scared to even use it at all, in fear of confrontation which has become a common occurrence.
“It also impacts shoppers sometimes because it means that they have to walk to the train station to get a taxi.”
With a loss of 50% of Hackey Carriage taxis in Bracknell Forest since Covid there are now only 53 drivers providing the much needed service to shoppers and residents without private transport.
The News has been told that these drivers experience abuse for 'simply going to their place of work'.
Manoj said: “We have mentioned the situation to the council during regular meetings and they do send traffic wardens down to the area, but it is simply not enough.
“As soon as they leave, the cars return. What we really need is CCTV cameras at the rank in order to fine anyone who parks there."
Damian James, Assistant Director for contract services, said: “We are aware of ongoing issues with members of the public parking in the taxi rank outside Waitrose and we have been regularly communicating with the taxi trade about this issue.
"Our car parking enforcement contractor patrols this area frequently, issuing penalty charge notices where infringements occur."
There have also been claims that vulnerable members of the public are now being affected by this problem.
One Bracknell driver said: “I was pulling into the rank a few days ago and a visually impaired woman was getting into an unmarked car.
“When I went to see if she was OK, it became clear that she thought the car was a registered taxi.
“This could have become extremely dangerous for her. If there were barriers or CCTV cameras, less people would be put in this situation.
“We are being completely obstructed when trying to do a job. It would never be accepted in town’s like Reading and it shouldn’t be accepted in Bracknell”
The Bracknell Taxi Driver Association have advised customers to always look on the car if unsure whether the driver is licenced. Legally, the vehicle will show three forms on identification if it is a Hackney Taxi.
Bracknell Forest Council added: "We have made provision for taxi drivers to wait free of charge in Albert Road car park.
"We would urge local residents to keep this area clear so taxi drivers can trade.”
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FAQ
doubt I could even pronounce that ! 
