Taxi drivers plan disruption in protest of rank closure

Newbury town centre slow procession drive "will send a message to West Berkshire Council"

ANGRY cab drivers in Newbury unhappy over the axing of the Market Place taxi rank are planning a series of demonstrations to send a message to West Berkshire Council, starting tonight.

Members of the West Berkshire and Hackney Taxi Association passed a resolution to take action this winter, starting with a procession drive through the town later today (Friday).

The chairman of the association, Andrew Lutter, said the new rank outside the Post Office in Newbury town centre was a danger to the public and the taxi trade.

“Direct action will be taken to force the council to restore the Market Place taxi rank,” he said.

“The taxis in the Market Place used to be in plain sight of everyone. Taxis have now been removed from the Market Place to the wharf where a whole series of new risks and dangers to the public have been created specifically by the design for the new “main rank” and the creation of the new Post Office rank.”

He said young women and the elderly were at greater risk as licensed vehicles previously kept unlicensed vehicles out of the Market Place.

“This change by the council has increased crime and fear of crime,” he said.

“As only two taxis are allowed outside the new Post Office rank there are already arguments over who is going to get into the taxi(s), thus increasing crime and fear of crime – again. And whilst the taxis outside the Post Office are busy, those who waiting patiently at the Wharf are getting less business, especially on quieter nights.

“So, in order to make a living, the taxis try to get on the visible main Post Office rank, which means queuing on the road.

“The taxi drivers will be following the unfortunate advice from a West Berkshire councillor who suggested taxis drive through the Market Place after 5pm to pick up fares.”

The opening of the Parkway shopping complex was a catalyst for the removal of buses and taxis from Market Place, and has caused years of friction between the taxi rank and West Berkshire Council.

Despite consultation over the proposed changes earlier and criticism of the proposals by the taxi association the council ploughed ahead with the alterations.