Taxi Driver Online

Cornish Guardian

November 7, 2007 Wednesday

Taxi rank 'a danger to public'

Taxi drivers in Liskeard are urging the district council to redesign a dangerous town centre stop-off.

They say that the taxi rank outside the Co-op is a health and safety risk.

If it is used by three cabs - as they believed was the intention - one vehicle has to mount the pavement and dodge a granite post.

Grayson Mitchell, proprietor of Express Taxis, is leading the fight for a bigger rank and is backed by all the local taxi companies.

He said: "We have many problems in the area and around the country as taxi drivers - lack of traffic wardens is a major issue.

"But when we complain about the taxi rank to the district council and our fears for the safety of the public, and we aren't heard, there must be something seriously wrong.

He went on: "Looe is a harbour town and has space for six taxis, we are a market town and only have space for two, or three if we want to mount a curb and potentially injure someone."

Mr Mitchell received a letter from Caradon District Council's licensing assistant, Michelle Burns, stating she had discovered in the original documentation for planning permission that the taxi rank was only meant for two and not three taxis.

Mr Mitchell said: "It's typical how this has taken 14 months to resolve and now magically the rank was only meant for two cars in the beginning."

To extend the taxi rank in the town, Caradon has quoted the work at a cost between £5,000 to £10,000.
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