National Taxi Association

But on Thursday Fenland Council, which had mooted the move on safety grounds, decided not to proceed with the proposals.

The council changed its mind over the move after a decision by its Cabinet to spend money on a safety survey was called into question by councillors and it was then looked at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, who referred the matter back to full council.

However, an alternative recommendation was put to Thursday’s full council meeting which stated the move should no longer be considered unless it is proved imperative on safety grounds.

The recommendation met with unanimous support with Wisbech councillor Jonathan Farmer suggesting the parcel of land at the Case, which is owned by the council, should be used to provide extra disabled parking.

He said the suggestion had originally come from residents and he thought it was a good idea as it would help solve the problem of insufficient blue badge parking in the town.

While councillor Simon King suggested the Case site could be used to provide extra parking for taxis.

Councillor Dave Patrick, who had led the taxi drivers campaign against the move, said the drivers would be pleased to remain at the Horse Fair.

“I have spoken to the taxi drivers and absolutely most prefer it to stay as it is,” said Mr Patrick.

http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/Taxi-rank-stays-put.6453781.jp

Angry taxi drivers are planning a city centre protest line as they battle for more official ranks.

Members of the Hackney Drivers’ Association Ltd, who work from Preston’s train station, have been told to line up outside the Preston Council headquarters, on August 2.

In a letter addressed to council chiefs, Charlie Oakes, chairman of the group, said: “Further to our earlier complaint about the actions of enforcement officer and the lack of ranking spaces supplied by Preston City Council for our members who work at Preston Station.

“I have been instructed by the members to inform the council that a peaceful assembly will take place at the Town Hall on the 2 August 2010, by the hackney drivers from Preston Station.

“Unless urgent talks takes place to resolve the issues which our members have suffered and continuing to suffer.

“It would be regrettable if such action would need to be taken but our members fell aggrieved by the actions of the licensing department.”

Pete Tyson, treasurer of the Preston Hackney Carriage Association, said: “The situation is very frustrating, we do not have enough places for cabs who want to wait, it has been ongoing now for several years really.

“That is partly because of parking restrictions and partly because of the amount of hours drivers are now working in order to make a living due to the recession.

“Drivers are working longer hours because of the recession and because of that there are more taxis which are not moving.”

But Mr Tyson said he would not be advising his members to take part in the action.

He added: “I am aware of it but we prefer to work with the council through negotiations because we need town hall on our side.

“I am not in favour of it, I am in favour of carrying on with exhausting the channels we are going down.”

A spokesman for Preston Council, said: “We are currently looking into the situation and will respond to them in due course.”

Two years ago cabbies protested after the number of spaces at Preston railway Station was reduced.

An estimated 100 drivers took to the streets for a go slow demonstration after the number of spaces was cut.

source: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/