BUS LANE BULLETIN OVER 100 PHV DRIVERS PACK PORTSMOUTH CABINET MEETING IN PROTEST AT BUS LANE ACCESS
Despite the fact that it was expected that the Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Peter Candlish, would block private hire vehicles gaining further access to the Portmouth’s bus lanes, drivers turned out in unprecedented numbers to pack the gallery, leaving literally standing room only. Having worked for two years to get agreement for a 12-month “trial” of a meagre five bus lanes - which proved a success and those routes are now permanent - Uber drivers trade representative to Ports- mouth City Council, Peter Sutherland, continued the fight, culminating in the meeting, on Thursday 24 October at Ports- mouth Guildhall. The outcome was incredibly dis- appointing bearing in mind the Licensing Committee had been persuaded to
unanimously
support the request for access to the city’s bus lanes - strictly limited to Portsmouth licensed PHVs only. Further at a Consultative Group meeting in the summer, attended by the trade, licensing officers and councillors, when discussing bus lane access Cllr Candlish stated that he: “expected good news within a few weeks”. Not everything we
wanted, but
probably a minimum of ten bus lanes, perhaps more. Also, as recently as 23 September, at a Licensing Committee Meeting, when Mr Sutherland and his colleague, Tamas Bodolai, expres- sed concerns about the council’s transportation officers’ report into bus lanes access being thin on detail with no research
data 24
attached, Cllr. Vernon-Jackson told them that “the Chair intended to override it, and that they shouldn’t worry.”
At the meeting, support for the proposal was so strong that EVERY councillor spoke in full support of the private hire drivers’ demands. Cllr Emily Strudwick [Chair of Licensing] made an impassioned plea. Cllr George Madgwick spoke forcefully, and ripped holes in the recommendation from council transportation officers. Opposition spokespersons from Labour, Conservative and Indep- endent groups took turns to totally shred the reports submitted, not least for the lack of meaningful data and evidence. Cllr Simon Bosher [Con], and former Cabinet Member for Transport, warned the Chair that to take a decision to deny the private hire trade bus lanes access, and in doing so accepting such a seriously flawed report and recommendation from officers, would almost certainly result in a move to have the decision “called- in” by the Scrutiny Committee. Trade Representative, Peter Sutherland, reminded Cllr Candlish of his earlier promises, questioned the motives of the councillor, and demanded that all and any data purporting to
support the
recommendations be made immediately available. Former Chair of Licensing, Mr Scott Payter-Harris, was so incensed at the intentions of Cllr Candlish that he came out of enforced [and premature] retirement to address the meeting. He made clear that
he fully supported the drivers’ requests, and cautioned the Cabinet Member as to his motives and the likelihood of his decision being called before the Scrutiny Committee.
The assembled drivers, in true pantomime fashion, wildly applauded most speakers, and suitably derided the ultimate decision.
Nonetheless, Cllr Candlish stuck to his guns, went back on his word and ruled against the private hire drivers. When asked for comment after the meeting, Peter Sutherland said that he was proud of the amazing unity shown by his driver colleagues. He went on to say: “Yes, we’re disappointed that the Cabinet Member chose to
ignore all
reasonable requests, but that was to be expected from the ruling Liberal Democrat group. On the one hand they have a dream.... a utopia.... a Portsmouth with no cars, just cycles and public transport, but on the other hand they steadfastly refuse to support the trade (seen as a vital part of local transportation infrastructure - according to one leading Liberal Democrat). He added: “This matter isn’t over, no matter what Candlish thinks. We may have lost a battle today, but I assure you that we’ll win the war.” Portsmouth Council Democracy Services has since announced that there has been a “Call-in” request, which had been accepted. As a result, Cllr Candlish will now appear before the Scrutiny Manage- ment Panel on 11th November to have his decision investigated.
NOVEMBER 2024 PHTM
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