Taxi Driver Online

Same old, same old.

But I doubt ANPR cameras would be suitable for enforcing this kind of thing anyway, even assuming the council were minded to do anything about it...

...and if what goes on in Fife is anything to go by, the council's statement at the end will just be gaslighting BS


Taxi driver calls for ANPR cameras on Commercial Road

https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/2597 ... cial-road/

A TAXI driver has hit out at inconsiderate drivers who are parking overnight in taxi ranks on a main city thoroughfare.

Aman Khan is calling on Herefordshire Council to install ANPR cameras on Commercial Road to prevent motorists from parking in taxi ranks in the early hours of the morning.

Currently, yellow signs on the road inform drivers that they are banned from parking between 7pm and 7am each evening, but Mr Khan believes the signs are no longer a deterrent.

He says taxi drivers are "struggling every day" to find a parking space on the street, which he says is the main pick-up spot in the city, and believes the matter is "completely avoidable".

"It’s just basic common sense, but some people ignore the rules, leave their vehicles overnight, and only come back at 4am or 5am," he said.

Mr Khan says he has witnessed people leave large vehicles in the rank and not return until the following day, and when questioned, he says they "do not care".

"This kind of behaviour is unfair and unnecessary. Proper enforcement, like cameras, would stop it and make things easier for taxi drivers," he added.

Mr Khan, formerly a barber with his own business, said that although his colleagues have also been affected by nuisance drivers, they don't wish to come forward.

The 33-year-old believes that the installation of cameras, which automatically recognise number plates, may be the only solution to the problem.

“If the council installed APNR cameras, I’m sure they wouldn’t do that anymore," he added.

However, a spokesperson for Herefordshire Council said they are aware of the concerns raised over the use of taxi ranks, and take reports of misuse seriously, with council enforcement officers patrolling the area and taking action "where breaches are identified".

"Taxi ranks are designated for use by licensed hackney carriage vehicles and help ensure passengers can access taxis safely and conveniently," they said.

The council is said to be working closely with representatives from the taxi and private hire trade, along with West Mercia Police, to "support the appropriate use" of the ranks.

"Anyone with concerns about the misuse of a taxi rank is encouraged to report it to the Council so it can be investigated.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and take enforcement action where necessary."

The authorities can't use ANPR to enforce taxi ranks, unless they are in bus lanes or red routes. Which I'm not sure happens anywhere.

When councils were allowed to use CCTV to enforce rule-breaking, they started fining folks for putting their bins out early, leading the government to swiftly remove councils' ability to enforce that way.

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IDFIMH

It's e spot at the time.not legal to use cameras to enforce parking restrictions. Any penalties must be niciked by a person on the spot at the time of the contravention. This was after a load of councils were taking the pi55 a few years ago by using camera cars and static cameras. Only approved devices can be used to enforce bus stop contraventions in certain areas such as Greater London.

It could be useful to an LO to spot suspended vehicles out working when they shouldn't

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Even if it was legal or practical, I doubt ANPR cameras could be used to enforce stuff like illegal rank parking.

Access in and out of the rank would have to be very tightly controlled for a start, and to that extent wouldn't work unless it's like that rank in Southampton where there were nasty kerbs at either side, which the HCs had to mount to get in and out of unless no car ever left the rank until it got right to the front of the queue. And even then it wouldn't be full-proof in terms of ANPR recognition.

So, for a normal rank, for example, it would hardly be realistic to fine a private motorist if they stopped on an empty rank to pick up a family member, or to momentarily check sat nav, or whatever, which an ANPR camera would presumably pick up.

And there would have to be an exemption database of HC registration numbers anyway - and, if stuff about bus lane tickets and the like are anything to go by, could councils be trusted to keep such a database accurate and up to date?

I'd guess the driver in the piece who suggested ANPR cameras just blurted it out without actually thinking through how it all works

That's exactly what happens to those who transgress bus lanes and red routes.

Thousands of times each day.

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IDFIMH

Down here, the council puts licensed taxi/PHs on a white list when they are licensed for the first time.

Non-local taxi/PH can ask to be put on the white list.

If they don't and get a ticket, they can appeal, which is always successful, and their details are then added to the list.

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IDFIMH