Taxi drivers and residents at odds over parking

A ROW has erupted between Bexhill taxi drivers and the public over parking in the town centre.

Residents have voiced anger with cabbies using public parking spaces to take fares, but taxi drivers claim their livelihood is being threatened by people who leave cars in designated ranks or block their cabs in.

Taxi drivers say the feeling of animosity has spilled over in recent weeks and they are regularly on the receiving end of abuse. And moves are now afoot to curb the ill feeling on Bexhill's streets, in the hope increased dialogue between the parties can lead to a more understanding relationship.

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Cabby Dave Smith said: "We're having a lot of trouble at the moment with people parking on our ranks and objecting when we ask them to move.

"I can appreciate the public being annoyed as they used to be able to park outside places such as Lloyds bank, where there is now a taxi rank, and they still do.

"But I've been through my books and i've lost approximately 30 per cent of my trade by not being able to get on ranks.

"If people park sensibly there should not be a problem. All we're doing is retaliating so that we are able to ply our trade which we can't do at the moment. We need dialogue and public awareness of what to expect from taxi drivers."

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Jackie Doorey, of Highlands Close, recently made the Observer aware of an argument she had with a taxi driver, who had parked in a public space at the end of the rank opposite Boots, in Devonshire Road.

She said: "He was asked to move and said no. There were plenty of spaces in the rank behind him, but he was taking up parking spaces in front of the shops."

Cab drivers have stated the poor design of the rank is to blame and they have to use the public space to prevent their vehicles from being blocked in.

Chairman of Rother Taxi Association, Steve Vollrath, is eager to find a solution to the problems and prevent further arguments.

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He said: "We just can't stop people parking on the taxi ranks and they are getting quite bolshie and offensive when we ask them not to. Lorries use the ranks as well, and try asking a lorry driver to move. It's not policed as well as we would like."

Steve is eager to set up a forum where both parties can air their problems and hopes Bexhill police will facilitate these discussions.

"I'm trying to get hold of the police so we can sort something out. We work with the public all the time and the last thing we want to do is upset them.

"But we pay the best part of 200 and we can't get on a taxi rank. Something needs to be done."

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