Taxi Driver Online

Taxis steer clear of Gunwharf gate after being fined


Taxi firms are boycotting an area of Gunwharf Quays after being given fines for dropping people off there.

Citywide and Aquacars have been told they are banned from entering the residential entrance at Gunwharf to pick up or drop off passengers who are not residents.

But as drivers find it difficult to prove whether their fare is a resident or not, they have decided to stop serving the area altogether.

Consort Property Management, which manages the properties in the complex, has hired staff from parking enforcement firm Shoal to serve instant fines and has put up signs warning drivers.

Both taxi companies say they have racked up fines for picking up and dropping off passengers.

Bruce Hall, manager of Aqua Cars, is refusing to pay £2,500 in fines which Shoal has given its drivers.

He said: 'How are the cab drivers supposed to prove that their customers are residents?

'I feel sorry for them (the residents). I am not going to ask my customers for ID to prove they live there.'

Tony Jefferson, manager at Citywide, has received four fines of £120 which he is also refusing to pay.

He said: 'We will not enter that area of Gunwharf. It has affected the customers because we can't take them to their door.'

Consort Property Management said the decision to fine taxis was made after residents complained about late night noise disturbance.

But resident Jo Clark, 20, who lives in the Blue Building, said: 'Taxis don't park up here - they just pick up and drop off so I don't have a problem with them. The only time I get a taxi is when it is raining so I would not be happy walking to Marks & Spencer to get it.

'I don't know how I would prove I was a resident here.'

Another resident, who didn't want to be named, said: 'I had no idea about the fines. I don't understand why they are doing this.

'We do get noise but it generally comes from the bars and clubs, not the taxis.'

Consort Property Management told The News that residents did not have to show ID, but that taxi drivers were asked to confirm the customer's address before they allowed them into the taxi.

Mike Eames, from Shoal Enforcement, said: 'Shoal has been contracted to enforce the parking terms and conditions on the private road at Gunwharf Residential Estate. Shoal Enforcement will follow these instructions in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the British Parking Association and the law.'

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Taxis-steer-clear-of-Gunwharf.6249557.jp

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

Are consort property management the licensing authority now?

Never heard of such a mental situation such as this.

CC

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

If its such a snooty and prestigious scheme then the scheme owners should lower the Port cullis and haul up the drawbridge in order to keep out the plebs and Taxi drivers alike, be better than fining Taxis for simply doing what Taxis do...

what a bunch of tossers...

I used to think the World was insane.

Now, with the crazy things that are happening everywhere...

I know.

"qwibblewertquopzeelongbifdonk" is what I say. And I am sticking to it.

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There is Significant Unmet Demand for my Opinion.

It may be that the property managers have been promised a kickback from Shoal without consulting the residents. That is almost certainly a breach of the lease terms and the residents should take appropriate action.

The taxis are under no obligation whatsoever to pay what is effectively an unsolicited invoice. Only statutory authorities have the power to levy fines.

Citywide and Aqua are right in telling Shoal to go swivel, IMHO.

I suppose technically it is private land not sure that they can legally issue parking fines though unless the appropriate bylaws are in place

They have to rely upon either trespass or contract.

In trespass, they lose their case as soon as they impose a cost. They can only seek damages for losses, which in the case of a free car park are zero.

In contract, the Dunlop case of about 1909 established that a penalty in a contract is unlawful. A reasonable charge of, say, £5 may be lawful but, of course, Shoal wouldn't make any money from that.

The business model depends upon those who are ignorant of the law coughing up without question.

That's the way to sort it, just tell the punters if they want a cab or ph to go out in then they best walk down to the main road, hopefully in the pi**ing hard rain.

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IDFIMH

My daughter is at uni in Portsmouth & we've been to Gunwharf Quays several times; to look.

It's a well prestigeous development of shopping, entertainment & residential mix, with Spinnaker Tower as it's 170 metre high main visitor attraction.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

CC

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

I'm sorry, Sussex, I'm going to serve my customers. Shoal have not a leg to stand on; If someone requires me to pick them up in that particular spot...I will.

So much for workers united.

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IDFIMH