A constantly full taxi rank in Windsor has led to chaos as drivers park anywhere they can find while waiting to pick up customers.
Father-of-two Paul Slatter was threatened with a parking ticket in Thames Street while waiting a few seconds for his daughter who had popped into Starbucks to grab a packet of crisps as the fallout of a parking lot accident.
But the 53-year-old says taxi drivers regularly park illegally in loading bays in the street because there is no room in the taxi rank opposite.
The Dower Park resident said: “They are so casual about it. They get out and have a chat while parked in the loading bays facing the wrong way, waiting to cut across when a space in the rank become available.
“There are just too many taxi licenses now. It is obvious. The council needs to get a grip.”
In April 2012 the Royal Borough abolished restrictions on the number of taxi drivers allowed in the ranks.
The limit on the number of Hackney carriage licenses issued was scrapped in April last year.
Taxi driver Fayyaz Hussain was in Thames Street on Wednesday waiting for a space in the rank.
He said: “I have been driving since 1988 and remember when drivers in the borough were restricted to one zone in either Ascot, Windsor or Maidenhead.
“Since all the restrictions were scrapped it has become a real problem.
“They are telling us now that if we are seen again in a loading bay we will get a ticket. But when are we going to get extra spaces on the rank?”
But Cllr Phill Bicknell (Con, Park), who is deputy chairman of the Royal Borough cabinet, called on more taxi drivers to pick up passengers ‘on the move’ if the ranks were full.
He said: “I would like to see people hailing taxis as they pass. Taxis have not done that historically in Windsor but visitors from London expect it.”
A CHEF has devised an unusual way of bringing his barbecued delights to customers – hauling two 100kg ceramic cookers in the back of an old London taxi.
Andrew Brown, from Darlington, bought two Big Green Egg barbecues to indulge his passion for that method of cooking.
The 48-year-old set about thinking of ways to use them as a source of income and hit on the idea of having them built into a former taxi.
He bought an old TX1 taxi – with more than 370,000 miles on the clock – at the end of its 15-year service on the streets of London.
Mr Brown said: “They weigh about 100kg each, so moving them about is no mean feat.
“I was doing a private cooking job in London and there was a catering and hospitality show.
“The company that imports the Big Green Eggs was showing and I went to meet with them.
“They have converted two or three taxis and I thought it was a brilliant idea.
“I came away from the show, did some working out and discovered I could get two Green Eggs in the back of a TX1 London taxi.”
Mr Brown, who used to run a restaurant, in Darlington’s Grange Road, is currently fine-tuning his business, The Barbecue Cab Co.
He plans to take his distinctive vehicle to food fairs, festivals and shows, as well as being available for private functions.
A TAXI boss has failed in his legal bid to force Blackburn with Darwen council to licence his white car as a hackney taxi which can pick up customers from the street.
Charles Oakes was furious the borough would not approve his white ‘Eurocab’ Peugeot E7 unless it was repainted, or licensed as a private hire vehicle only entitled to carry pre-booked fares.
Before the case, the council’s licensing committee confirmed its policy that all hackney carriages, other than two specified ‘London taxi cab’ designs, must be black.
Last week Judge Anthony Russell at Preston Crown Court dismissed Mr Oakes appeal.
Now the chairman of the Bolton-based Hackney Carriage Association is considering taking the council to the High Court in Manchester asking for a judicial review.
Council environment boss Jim Smith said: “We are very pleased the court agreed with the licensing sub-committee’s decision to refuse this application to licence a white, non-London style hackney carriage”.
Now the council faces further legal action from Mr Oakes and anger from Blackburn Taxi Association over new bodywork standards for the borough’s black cabs being debated tonight.
Blackburn with Darwen’s licensing committee will discuss the proposed regulations when it meets in the town hall. Taxi association vice-chairman Mohammed Mangera said: “We are pleased at the court decision on the taxi colour rules.
“However we are concerned at the proposed new bodywork regulations. They seem to be based on London taxis which cover many more miles. They would be unnecessary and too expensive from Blackburn drivers to afford.”
Licensing committee chairman John Wright said: “Everybody is unhappy at the current bodywork regulations which are difficult to administer.
“We have consulted the taxi trade and will debate new proposals before making a recommendation to coun Smith.” Mr Oakes said: “I am very disappointed about the court decision on my white taxi. Other councils approve different colours.
“Blackburn with Darwen council is stuck in the past. I am taking legal advice on a judicial review.
“This is not finished.
“The borough needs new bodywork standards but not ones based on London.”
A strike by Nottingham’s Hackney carriages has left the city centre in chaos during this morning’s rush hour.
Drivers reportedly blockaded Old Market Square and the road outside John Lewis between 8am and 10am.
Maid Marian Way was also completely blocked.
More than 400 drivers went out on strike.
Driver Javid Ali, 58, from Sherwood, said: “We are not taking fares between 8am and 10am.
“This is not what we want to be doing because after all it is our livelihood and not getting fares means we cannot pay the bills.
“It is all about passenger safety.
“We are sorry for the disruption to people but we have got to make the council listen.”
Nottingham Licensed Taxi Owners and Driver’s Association Chair, Jamil Ahmed said in a statement:
“Nottingham City Council as a taxi licensing authority is not meeting its obligation to keep taxi law and order during the night time economy in the city centre.
This puts thousands of people in danger when they return from the city over the weekend in un-booked private hire and outer borough taxis. These journeys are not covered by insurance.
Only the Hackney taxis can be legally hailed in the city.
Many parents like me, will rightly be deeply concerned that their children might be driven around unprotected and uninsured and that the City Council seems completely uninterested in acting on their responsibility to keep taxis well licensed and safe.
Many of the tourists attracted to the city for its great attractions and choice of night clubs, bars & restaurants are unknowingly stepping into un-booked vehicles of disreputable drivers that litter the city streets and pedestrian walk ways.
I hope that the City Council listens to our concerns and implements new taxi strategy so that taxi law and order can prevail thus ensuring the public receive a safe and dependable taxi service they deserve.”
Huddersfield Taxi drivers of the Huddersfield Taxi Drivers Association who say they should be allowed to use the bus lanes.
Hackney carriage drivers have hit out at Kirklees Council’s decision to ban them from bus lanes.
Unlike in many cities, taxis are barred from bus lanes on several of Huddersfield’s busiest roads, including Bradford Road, Manchester Road and Lockwood Road.
Drivers say the rules mean they spend hours extra each day sitting in queues and causing additional air pollution.
Manjit Singh, who has been driving taxis since 1976, said: “Most other towns and cities allow it, it only seems to be Kirklees that does this.
“We asked for it to be changed about five years ago but nothing happened.
“Every day we’re stuck in the traffic with customers complaining.
“On Lockwood Road or Manchester Road it can take 15 or 20 minutes longer in rush hour than if we could use the bus lane – that’s an extra £3 or £4 to the customer.”
The Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association has written to Kirklees Council’s chief executive, Adrian Lythgo, to appeal for a re-think.
The drivers say allowing dual use of the bus lanes would allow a more efficient service that would be of benefit to both the trade and the public.
And they say it would have a positive effect on air quality as fewer taxis would be sitting in traffic pumping out exhaust fumes.
Wayne Casey from the National Taxi Association, said the use of bus lanes by Hackney Carriage drivers varied depending on the local council.
He said: “The National Taxi Association’s position is that taxis are public transport and therefore should be given access to the lanes to allow us to progress.”
A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “We are in the process of making plans to improve traffic flows in Huddersfield town centre and will consider authorised access for all different users as part of that planning.
“Once this is sorted and the necessary legal process commenced, we will consider other bus lanes in the district. If any alterations are thought appropriate a report would be submitted for the Cabinet to consider.”
A constantly full taxi rank in Windsor has led to chaos as drivers park anywhere they can find while waiting to pick up customers.
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