Taxi Driver Online

Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph

August 29, 2006 Tuesday

HEADLINE: Residents kick up a stink over 'taxi rank'

Queues of taxis parking in residential areas are dangerous and may be illegal, according to residents and licensing officers.

Taxis have parked on Lincoln Gardens, Scunthorpe, since they were banned from the nearby Priory car park and Ashby Road. One resident, who lives on Kingston Road but who wished to remain anonymous, said a number of near misses had occurred since taxis started using the unofficial rank.

He said: "It is mainly a problem at weekends, at peak times of the evening. It has only happened recently, since The Priory Hotel stopped taxis waiting in the car park. "I nearly had an accident on the junction the other day. "People can't get out of their houses because they are using it as taxi rank. "There is a long queue of taxis along Lincoln Gardens, and it is dangerous."

Another resident, who lives on Ashby Road, said he had also suffered problems with the taxis parking outside his house until they were moved on by the police.

He said: "It wasn't pleasant for any resident because they parked outside our houses.

"It was also dangerous, so I informed the police and they are now dealing with it."

Devlyn Pugh, secretary of the North Lincolnshire Private Hire and Taxi Association, said: "This has been an ongoing issue, and the taxis parked here are creating a problem. "Part of Lincoln Gardens is single yellow-lined, but there is also a private residents' car park and taxis are blocking the road.

"The police and North Lincolnshire Council are both looking into the problem." Sgt James Main, neighbourhood officer for Scunthorpe Urban Neighbourhood Team, said: "The problem on Ashby Road was solved by having PCSOs out, talking to the taxi drivers who were parking there. After that, we were then going to take action.

"We have given out two fixed penalty notices. It seems to have worked because they no longer park there - but it is a problem we will monitor." The area will be monitored and action will be taken if necessary.

Nick Bramhill, licensing manager of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "We are aware of this problem. "If we find any taxis parking illegally, we will warn them. But if they continue to park there, we will look at prosecuting. "People expect to see a taxi when they come out of the pub, but these ones still should not be there."

Taxis used to park in the Priory car park but were moved on in April.

Priory manager Jeremy Cookson said: "The taxis took up half the car park, stopping our customers parking. So, when I moved here in April, I was told by our area manager to move them on."
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