ANGRY
cabbies are calling for more taxi ranks in Coventry to stop them being forced to park
illegally.
Alias
Yousef, chairman of Coventry Taxi Association, says taxi drivers in the city
are getting increasingly frustrated because there are too few designated
parking spaces.
They are
demanding more rank spaces and are urging the council to stop issuing licences
to more cabs, which they say is making their situation worse.
Mr Yousef
said: “We have around 700 Hackney cabs in the city but we only have about 180
rank spaces so there is an overspill. It has been like this in Coventry for a couple of years now and we
have even asked the council to stop licensing taxis.
“We know
sometimes we park outside ranks, but there’s nothing else we can say on this
really. We have even asked them (the council) to expand existing taxi ranks but
they don’t seem to listen - where else are we supposed to park?
“The police
sympathise with taxi drivers and take a relaxed approach because they can
understand they are breaking the law, but there is nowhere else to go.”
Figures from
the council’s taxi licencing department show between February 2007 and December
2008, about 30 cabs were granted a licence.
By the end
of last year there were a total number of 856 taxis in the city.
One Coventry resident has
noted the amount of times he has seen taxis parked illegally in Humphrey Burton Road,
Cheylesmore, and thinks something needs to be done.
William Mee,
of Kenpas Highway,
Finham, said: “There are cabs parking on the hump-back bridge in Humphrey Burton Road
and it is very dangerous. It has been going on for around 18 months but they
need to be moved because it’s hazardous.
“There are
usually around 20 to 30 cabs parked on either side of the road which makes it
very difficult for drivers to pass.”
A council
spokesman said “We are aware of the issue around the station area and our civil
enforcement officers are attempting to work with the taxi drivers by moving
taxis on wherever necessary in order to alleviate any problems.
“We attend
the area on a daily basis and will continue to monitor the situation.”
Anyone
concerned with taxi parking problems in the area can contact the parking
services enforcement team on 024 7683 4367.
What do you think? Write to us or email
timesletters@mrn.co.uk. | 
Article
