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Forced closure of 'prime' taxi rank prompts anger

Andrew Turner/BBC A sign attached onto fencing at Great Yarmouth Market Gates bus station on Temple Road, directs passengers to the nearest taxi ranks: Theatre Plain (outside Costa Coffee) and Market Gates Road. Behind the fencing is a pile of rubble on the roadway and the Market Gates shopping centre.Andrew Turner/BBC
The taxi rank near Great Yarmouth Bus Station has been closed to allow buses to run in the opposite direction along Temple Road

Taxi drivers and councillors have voiced anger and frustration at the "forced" closure of a town centre taxi rank.

The licensing committee on Great Yarmouth Borough Council approved the changes for the rank to allow Norfolk County Council to complete a £2m transformation of the resort's road system.

It has meant the closure of a "prime" taxi rank outside the Troll Cart pub on Temple Road during the works - and then between 05:00 and 23:00 daily when completed.

Borough councillor Kerry Robinson Payne said the committee had no choice but to agree with the order - as it could have faced a costly judicial review it would likely lose.

She said: "We were really against it as we feel walked over by NCC, who just expected us to approve it... the decision had been forced upon us."

Supplied Councillor Kerry Robinson Payne, wearing a multicoloured blouse, sitting on a luxurious train. She is smiling, and has long brunette hair. The seat fabric is highly patterned.Supplied
Councillor Kerry Robinson Payne said the borough council could not reject the proposal to close the rank as it would likely trigger legal costs

The county council issued a Traffic Regulation Order to allow buses to better serve Great Yarmouth's bus station.

It will allow for a new bus lane to be created on Temple Road, to run in the opposite direction from the current flow of traffic, speeding up bus journeys.

However, taxi drivers and councillors complained that it has been forced upon the town without proper consultation by County Hall.

Alternative ranks will be created on Market Gates Road - and the rank on Theatre Plain will be enlarged to hold 12 cars.

'Judicial review'

At a heated licensing committee meeting this week, drivers affected by the changes told the council they feared a substantial loss of income.

But GYBC members said that a vote to block it would have been unlawful, as the Traffic Regulation Order has already been made by NCC.

Councillor Payne added: "We are here to represent the public that elected us, nobody wants it moved.

"But if we did not approve this, it would have gone to a judicial review, which would have cost the council thousands of pounds."

Andrew Turner/BBC A sign pinned onto temporary fencing at Great Yarmouth Market Gates bus station on Temple Road, reads: This taxi rank is now closed - the nearest ranks are now: Theatre Plain (outside Costa Coffee) and Market Gates Road. Behind the fencing is a pile of rubble on the roadway and the Market Gates shopping centre.Andrew Turner/BBC
Norfolk County Council says other ranks nearby will be enlarged as a result of closing the rank on Temple Road

Sean Morley, a spokesman for the Great Yarmouth Taxi Association, said the county council had only consulted with a dozen people from the industry - but not the 400 drivers operating in the town.

"This was a prime rank in the middle of the town, we have been totally disregarded as part of the transport network," he said.

"This has caused lots of hassle and animosity."

Mr Morley says the changes came amid wider frustration at the handling of the taxi network in Great Yarmouth.

"I think the changes are a waste of money which will make only small improvements for buses," he said.

The county council refuted complaints there was not enough consultation conducted.

A spokesman said: "We carried out a full public consultation on a draft design for the scheme last summer and the final proposals were designed in consultation with local drivers.

"All decisions regarding taxi provision in the town rest with Great Yarmouth Borough Council's licensing committee.

"The completed scheme will improve public transport across Great Yarmouth, making all bus journeys quicker and more reliable and support the local economy."

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