Taxi Driver Online

Eastbourne Herald

July 6, 2007

Taxi ranks to be cleared for.... taxis!

Motorists who park illegally in taxi ranks are to be targeted in a new campaign by Eastbourne Police.

Officers are to clamp down on motorists who park up on the ranks across the town.

Sergeant Julian Williams from the Devonshire and Meads specialist neighbourhood policing team said this week his officers would be taking a more robust stance on dealing with illegal parking on the town's taxi ranks by private vehicles.

"While illegal parking is not a priority crime area for the police, our specialist neighbourhood policing teams deal with any crime or antisocial behaviour that is effecting any section of our communities," said Sgt Williams.

"It does not matter if the community group is resident, business, guest, or are a majority or minority group ? however diverse their link is ? we will listen to their concerns and endeavour to work in partnership to solve the problems that the group may be experiencing.

"I have recently had discussions with representatives from the town's private hire and hackney carriage companies and they have clearly advised me of the problems of private vehicles parking and obstructing their ranks.

"This is effecting their business but more importantly is effecting the valuable service they provide to Eastbourne residents and guests. If elderly or disabled persons are unable to locate a taxi due to illegally parked cars on the taxi ranks then this is clearly a matter that will be dealt with by enforcing the ranks.

"Parking tickets are £50 and potentially a tow away will cost the driver a further £100 plus £40 a day for storage. I don't wish to penalise drivers ? I would rather they just obey the law and park elsewhere."
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Nice to see the police finally act.

160 years after the act came into being.

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IDFIMH