MEMBERSHIP UPDATE MARCH 2009
Some time ago we lost our web-site when AOL pulled the plug on web hosting. So it is good to get this up and running again, with technical assistance from Graham Worral.
Taxi Ranks
This is the main issue at the moment. We have had several meetings. One was held on Thursday 5th March and it was to concentrate on those taxi ranks we want which help the police to get people away from Licensed Premises in the evening. We had the support of the Police (including Traffic), BSafe and very strong support from Enforcement. So hopefully we will get some action on these:
Queen Street (by Walkabout)
Abingdon Street (feed for Queen Street
Market Street (north end)
Clifton Street (by Schofields)
Church Street (by The Syndicate)
Before this we had 3 other taxi rank meetings with Highways. Meetings 1 and 2 didnt go too well, but we made progress at the 3rd meeting. This is a summary of what we asked for at the 3rd meeting. But we are now informed that the taxi ranks mentioned above are the priority and these (the following proposals) will have to wait.
This is an extract from a recent email to Highways, who are dragging their feet on taxi ranks. We have the agreement from Licensing that they will pay for new ranks, but still Highways are slow to act. A rank outside H Samuels has been repeatedly requested and refused. So we have concentrated our efforts on what we considered were achievable rank improvements.
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Adelaide Street, north side, immediately east of Coronation Street. A taxi rank here for say 4 cabs would be useful for Debenhams. This is the site of a previous taxi rank, which was removed.
North Promenade in front of Sanuk Night Club. This has been used as an unofficial rank for many years, so it would be useful to have it designated as such officially. It is currently double yellow lines on a wide section of road.
Dickson Road embayment directly in front of Funny Girls. Creating an evening taxi rank here would be useful from a H&S point of view. It would be a useful place for cabs to drop off in the early evening and later on to pick up fares from this popular cabaret show, which is busy throughout the year.
Shaftesbury Avenue, south side, at the junction with Queens Promenade. Currently there are no taxi ranks in the Promenade area between Knowle Avenue and the Norbreck. The proposed rank would be useful in the daytime for Hotels in the area and in the evening it would be conveniently close to Circus Casino.
Abingdon Street, close to the junction with Birley Street this would be a useful site, especially now that through access is denied and the Winter Gardens Rank is closed.
Red Bank Road We need somewhere convenient for various shops, restaurants, Promenade and a public house. We would prefer somewhere close to the Promenade if possible. I think you said you had identified an embayment on the south side of the road, just to the west of York Road. Previously we had two ranks in this area and these have been removed.
Burlington Road, north side close to Lytham Road. A taxi rank was located here for many years and was removed. Can this be reinstated please?
Starr Gate a taxi rank was proposed within the embayment on the Promenade. We note that this area may be subject to redevelopment in the future. But if this is not imminent it would be a useful place for cabs to rank up.
Victoria Street, by the Tower this is a usually deserted, windswept location which was previously the site of a large horseshoe shaped taxi rank. We believe that it is capable of taking the weight of taxis. Regularly used by dray wagons. Could it be extended please?
Waterloo Road near to the Duttons Arms. We were pleased to see that the proposed development included the provision of a taxi rank. However we would have preferred to have been consulted about the location, before the plans were agreed.
Lytham Road, west side, directly outside The Dunes public house 2 cab rank
Mereside and Grange Park Shops each of these previously had 2 cab ranks and would be useful for company taxis to park up at.
Talbot Square Fountain Rank we note from Maxine Callows comments in the press that taxi drivers will be consulted about this and we look forward to this process.
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Some other issues are
Chadwicks Insurance Chadwicks are supporting BLTOA by advertising on one of our cabs. Also they have cheaper insurance deals for taxi drivers, including a £25 referral fee which has been mentioned recently. So when your insurance is due, dont forget to contact them for a quote. And if you take up their insurance let Bill or David know.
NVQ Level 2 Course at Blackpool College the latest from Bournemouth is that the drivers there have lost their appeal. So we would advise drivers to sign up. Blackpool College offer seven lessons of 3 hours duration or three of 6.5 hours. Contact details at the College are Sandra Allan on 504193. As previously mentioned our members and their drivers are entitled to 3 months free gym membership when they complete the course.
Also the College will re-imburse you for the cost of your next badge. And if the badge costs more then you get more - whatever it costs.
On completion of the course you just pay for your next badge and then take them the receipt.
Keith Jeffreys Solicitor. Can we remind members please that we paid £10 each per member for initial legal advice on taxi issues. So if you need such advice please contact Keith direct on 01554 820373 or email keith@keithjeffreys..co.uk
AGM this will be on 21st April. Details to follow.
We will keep you informed.
David Palmer/Bill Lewtas
