PROTEST PLIGHT
NORWICH CABBIES PROTEST OVER CLOSURE OF KEY ROUTE AFFECTING THEIR BUSINESS
Between 60-70 black cab drivers turned up to voice their defiance
over the
decision to pedestrianise Exchange Street, a key route, by the county council as part of its Connecting the Norwich Lanes Project. Craig Dimbleby, chairman of the newly formed Norwich Taxi Association, headed up the protest, which took place in the Guildhall Hill taxi rank between 11am and 12 noon on Wednesday 30 November. Craig told the Norwich Evening News: “The closure of Exchange Street is absolutely ridiculous - this isn’t a police state. “It’s impossible for us to do our jobs with it being closed. On the back of that we are still waiting for a fare increase from the council. “We want the road back open as we are a public hire service. There is also a lack of access for wheelchair users and visitors to the city centre.” “They can’t stop our lads from going to work and earning a living, it’s as simple as that. I’m so angry at all of this. “A lot of drivers here have put 30 or 40 years into this city and we’ve had enough.” Councillor Martin Wilby, cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Infra-structure at Norfolk County Council, said: “The changes to Exchange Street that remove general traffic and create a pedestrian and cycle zone have been in place on a temporary basis for over two years.
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“It’s going to take away our livelihood.” Mr Dimbleby added: “All the major hubs in the city, train station, bus station and airport - we’re the ones who connect them. “This city was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of proper Norfolk people and we want our streets back. “We sincerely apologise to
“When we asked people about the proposals last year as part of our Connecting the Lanes con- sultation, the majority of people supported both the overall project and the proposals on Exchange Street.” Those protesting were also quick to slam the idea of the taxi rank being moved as part of the city’s ‘Levelling Up’ bid. Paddy Watson, who has been a black cab driver in the city for 36 years said: “The project won’t change anything. “There’s still one way out and people will just have to come further to find us. “They can’t close Exchange Street - it’ll cause absolute chaos. “It’s already costing customers about £5 more than what they should be paying.
the public for any issues but we have been forced into this action.” A joint statement previously issued by the city and county councils said: “This is an area dominated by people walking around the city, making it an unsuitable route for through traffic. “The scheme makes it safer and easier to get around on foot or by bike, supports outdoor hospitality and the local economy,
and
improves air quality. “The feedback we have received has been broadly supportive and people are keen to see the pedestrian zone free of traffic. “The city council has been discussing fare levels with the taxi drivers and further talks around the distribution and quantity of taxi rank spaces will take place in the coming months.” The statement continued: “Both Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have
been in
constant dialogue with taxi drivers throughout this process. We will continue to work with taxi drivers and local businesses as our proposals for the Norwich Lanes progress.”
DECEMBER 2022 PHTM
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