Taxi Driver Online

June 1, 2008 Sunday

Taxi strike discussions

Warrington Guardian

JUST weeks after plans for a taxi protest were quashed, Hackney Cab drivers are in talks to cause maximum disruption across the town after a further dispute with the council.

Drivers who work in Warrington have united following an announcement made by the council to remove a series of taxi ranks on weekend nights, including one on Lower Bridge Street.

Bruno Belizinea, chairman of Warrington Taxi Drivers Association (WTDA), said: "Our members have simply had enough and feel they now have no alternative but to show the council that they cannot make major changes that have a detrimental effect on our trade without any consultation and agreement."

Mr Belizinea said that the drivers have the full support from their Liverpool and Manchester colleagues and are in the process of organising legal protests. The demonstrations are expected to take place at various locations, times and dates to cause disruption to the town and its surrounding areas.

The WTDA has been working with the emergency services to ensure that they will not be affected by the action.

The cutting of the ranks is thought to have been introduced following requests from the police after criminal incidents occurred at the locations.

The plans for action come just weeks after threats to protest against unresolved issues with the council were dropped when the problems were believed to be solved.

Plans to pedestrianise areas of the town, along with licensing disputes and the changing of meeting minutes were among the drivers' previous concerns with the council.

The council declined to comment on the planned demonstrations until a meeting including the police, council and WTDA took place this week.
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