RANK RUMBLINGS


GLASGOW TAXI DRIVERS HAVE THREATENED TO BOYCOTT BUSY CITY CENTRE RANK


Glasgow taxi drivers have threatened to boycott a busy city centre rank as parked cars are preventing them from using it. Calum Anderson, chairman of Unite’s Glasgow Cab Section, told GoRadio that he didn’t see an alternative to


asking Unite


members to avoid the busy rank on Sauchiehall Street He said: “Unfortunately taxis can’t park here. We’re unable to utilise the rank at night times, purely down to parked cars and a lack


of enforcement.” He claimed that ‘the busy taxi rank was unworkable’ and that it was ‘a public safety issue’. Mr Anderson said: “I can’t see any alternative but to


ask our


members just to boycott this rank completely. “And that is not something that we would do lightly.” A spokesperson from Glasgow City Council has responded: “We are aware of parking issues in Sauchiehall Street and we have


stepped up our enforcement action against illegally parked vehicles. “Earlier this month we staged a joint operation with police on illegal parking and over 60 vehicles breaching restrictions were moved from double yellow lines. “We will continue to monitor this area


closely and respond


accordingly. “All drivers have a basic responsibility to comply with the road regulations at all times.”


WAITROSE SHOPPERS ANGER BRACKNELL TAXI DRIVERS BY PARKING/DROPPING OFF IN THEIR RANK


Taxi drivers across Bracknell have slammed shoppers who are treating their rank as a drop-off point and car park. Over the last five years, drivers have seen the established rank at the town centre Waitrose taken over by


PHVs and


‘unconcerned shoppers’, resulting in a loss of business for hackney drivers. President of the Bracknell Taxi Driver Association, Manoj Lacximicanta Napoleão said: “This has been going on for five years but it’s only in the last two years that we have gone to the council about it. PHVs and even shoppers park on the rank if they need to drop into Waitrose. This means that some of our drivers are scared to even use it at all, in fear of confrontation which has become a common occurrence. Manoj said: “We have mentioned the situation to the council during


54


patrol this area frequently, issuing penalty


charge


notices where infringements occur.” There have also been claims that vulnerable members of the public are now being affected by this problem. One Bracknell driver said: “I was pulling into the rank a few days ago and a visually


regular meetings and they do send traffic wardens down to the area, but it is simply not enough. “As soon as they leave, the cars return. What we really need is CCTV cameras at the rank in order to fine anyone who parks there.” Damian James, Assistant Director for contract services, said: “We are aware of ongoing issues of the public parking in the taxi rank outside Waitrose and we have been regularly communicating with the taxi trade about this issue. “Our car parking enforcement


impaired woman was getting into an unmarked car. When I went to see if she was OK, it became clear that she thought the car was a registered taxi which could have been dangerous for her. If there were barriers or CCTV cameras, less people would be put in this situation.” Bracknell Forest Council added: “We have made provision for taxi drivers to wait free of charge in Albert Road car park. We would urge local residents to keep this area clear so taxi drivers can trade.”


JANUARY 2023 PHTM


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