Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers protest in Wisbech


Taxi drivers staged a protest in Wisbech today against plans to move their rank away from the bus station.

More than 30 drivers lined vehicles up across the Horsefair site -to counter a claim from Fenland District Council that 45 taxis had been counted in the area.

Watched by police, councillors, and council officials, the taxi drivers poured into the site at 11am.

“This was a quick exercise being conducted by angry taxi drivers, to show you cannot get 45 taxis on the site without impeding buses,” said Dave Patrick, chairman of the Wisbech and District Hackney Carriage Drivers Association.

“We planned to get as many taxis as possible on the site. Of course we don't normally use all the area, or the buses would not be able to reverse. With 31 taxis here the buses could not move, so someone made a false statement.”

Mr Patrick, who handed copies of a letter to the police and councillors, added: “I am delighted with the response taxi drivers, and would like to thank everyone for their attendance.”

Fenland District Council is suggesting a new taxi rank is created near The Case pub on Canal Street, because the current rank causes “serious dangers to pedestrians,” and “congestion problems that have led to an increasing number of accidents.”

One taxi driver had his number taken by a council official after leaving his vehicle to visit the toilet during the protest.

“I was told I should not leave my vehicle, that has never been a problem before,” said independent taxi driver Jonathan Shinn.

Beverley Shinn, the former owner of Bev's Taxis, said: “I have been working here for 20 years and there has never been a problem with taxis using this area, I have never known a bus to hit a taxi, or vice versa.”

Taxi driver Colin Kilby wants the council to make the current taxi rank safer, by marking out bays and erecting signs.

Among the Fenland councillors viewing the protest was Roger Green. “I think the taxi drivers have proved their point, I would be interested to know who saw 45 taxis on the site and when,” he said.

“Fenland District Council have got it on their agenda to move the taxis, but I have not talked to anyone who wants that. It would be flying in the face of public opinion.”

Jan French, who sits on the council's licensing committee agreed: “The drivers have shown it would be impossible to get 45 taxis on the site. The drivers have come here today, and not caused any problem.”

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Still not happy, but at least one of the lads got off being fined for having a wee.

http://www.wisbech-standard.co.uk/conte ... 3A54%3A700

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IDFIMH

Petition objecting to plans to move Wisbech taxi rank presented to Fenland District Council


A PETITION with more than 800 signatures has been handed to Fenland District Council in objection to plans to move the Wisbech's taxi rank.

Taxi drivers are fighting a proposal to move their rank from the bus station to a new location near the Case pub in the town.

As reported last week, drivers who took part in a mass protest against the move, have been told they will not be disciplined for their actions.

As part of the on-going fight David Patrick, chairman of the Wisbech and District Hackney Carriage Drivers Association spoke at a full council meeting on Thursday, where he handed in the petition.

He told councillors: "There are well in excess of 800 signatures and it is my belief that the Wisbech Chamber of Commerce is also against the idea of moving the rank.

"Taxi drivers in Fenland, most particularly Wisbech, are also concerned about the council wanting a penalty point system and dual license, also up for consideration under the consultation period and oppose both.

"Hackney Carriage drivers have nothing to gain by the introduction of a dual license and all drivers with the exception of one within the Wisbech Association of Drivers have opposed it."

He told the meeting that of the few councils, that presently operate a penalty point system, he claimed Fenland's - if introduced - would be by far the most "punitive".

He said he would like for the issue to be discussed at a higher level.

The council accepted the petition and it has been referred to the Cabinet, to be discussed at a later date.

The consultation over the proposed move ends later this month.

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin