Taxi drivers continue their campaign for access to Drake Street

Taxi drivers continue their campaign for access to Drake Street

A number of taxi drivers attended the Rochdale Township Committee meeting on Wednesday (4 March) in a bid to convince councillors to allow taxis to use the bottom of Drake Street.

Taxi drivers have so far been unsuccessful in getting access to the bottom of Drake Street and are still asking for a trial period.

Mr Hussain, who was speaking on behalf of the taxi drivers, said: “We want access to Drake Street and Smith Street and that is why we are here. We were told last year by Councillor Cecile Biant that a trial period would be put in place and that hasn’t happened and we want to know why.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/84718/trial-run-for-taxis-on-drake-street

Councillor Cecile Biant, who was the chairwoman of the Rochdale Township Committee last year, agreed that she supported a trial run but after further investigation was told this could not go ahead.

She said: “Yes I did tell you that a trial would happen and I did have discussions with the portfolio holder but we did not anticipate the objections from Transport for Greater Manchester and the legal position we would be left in if we went against the stakeholders.”

It is understood that taxis are unable to use Drake Street due to health and safety concerns that would arise now that the tram is also operating along Drake Street.

Mr Hussain added: “There is no harm in trying a four week trial. I have seen police and non-police vehicles using Drake Street. There is about 50 yards that we can’t use. If we can use the rest of the road, we want to be able to use that 50 yards as well.”

Councillor Terry Linden said: “This issue came up last year and Mark Widdup gave a long speech about why this can’t go ahead. It was agreed that this issue wouldn’t come up again because due to health and safety issues there was no time for a car to pass with the tram there as well. With health and safety issues, and Transport for Greater Manchester against it, we can’t allow it. There is no way any vehicle can go up that road safely – public or private.”

Councillor Daalat Ali agreed that this is an issue but also believes that there is a wider access issue in the town centre.

He said: “I don’t know why drivers are so adamant about using Drake Street. There is a wider access issue here that needs addressing. If you are coming into the town centre from Milnrow or Kingsway there are accessibility issues. We need to look at the access properly.”

The taxi drivers were adamant that the issue could be addressed and asked for a meeting to discuss the issue.

Councillors agreed to hold a meeting with TfGM, the relevant departments of the Council and the taxi drivers.