Can't quite put my finger on why, but think there's something quite funny about this
High Street taxi rank is opposed by Oxford Bus Companyhttps://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/1774 ... s-company/
Image: Oxford TimesBLACK cab drivers say a new taxi rank in Oxford High Street will be vital for customers carrying heavy shopping.But bus company bosses have objected, suggesting the new rank could add to congestion.
A temporary bus stop on the north side of High Street, outside the Covered Market, was provided when Queen Street was closed to buses as the Westgate Centre was being rebuilt.
Now it is proposed to make the eastern half of the bus stop a loading bay, with the other half becoming a daytime taxi rank with space for two cabs, from 8am to 6.30pm each day.
Image: Oxford TimesCity of Oxford Licensed Taxi Association (COLTA) has requested the new rank because the current rank on the south side of High Street, by the former NatWest bank, is hardly used due to its distance from Carfax.
Secretary of COLTA Sajad Khan said: “We welcome this new rank.
“As a trade we work closely with the city and county councils.
Image: Oxford Times“We always try not to obstruct or get in the way of buses - we totally understand how important buses are in this city - many cab drivers were once bus drivers.
“But a rank at the Carfax end of High Street is necessary - customers with heavy bags should be given a choice of public transport.”
Mr Khan added he hoped the rank would be created within weeks once the city council has concluded its consultation.
Image: Oxford TimesOn Thursday the county council cabinet member for environment committee backed the creation of the new rank by the city council.
But it agreed the city council would need to remove the rank if it caused congestion problems.
The report concluded: “Given the possibility of a detrimental impact of the rank due to taxis waiting and manoeuvring in the vicinity, officers recommend that highway authority consent for the taxi rank is conditional on the city council agreeing that it will remove the rank immediately if congestion and/or road safety issues arise."
Image: Oxford TimesOxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said: “We have concerns over how the ‘two taxi bay’ will be enforced and from experience believe it will have a negative impact on traffic flow and safety.
"We submitted our concerns to Oxford City Council and suggested moving the taxi rank to the front of the loading bay or beyond bus stops on Turl Street.”
Image: Oxford Times
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