Revised plans for taxis during the St George’s Way improvement works in Newport have been published today (Wednesday) just days after Island Echo’s ‘Save our Ranks’ article.
The initial plan had been to close the ranks outside Morrisons and Peacocks and create a temporary rank in St James’ Street, but the Council has backtracked on that decision and will instead establish a rank within the Church Litten car park.
In relocating the South Street taxi ranks to within Church Litten car park, the Isle of Wight Council has said it has listened carefully to the views of local members and taxi operators. Taxi companies have been up in arms about being forced to give up their ranks in South Street for a period of 6 months without being consulted.
Island Echo highlighted on Monday that taxi drivers were unhappy about the rank being located on a corner and on a narrow stretch of pavement. There were concerns about how it would affect businesses re-opening after the pandemic too.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, has today said:
“In such circumstances there is never an ideal solution and we explored alternative options for the location of the taxi ranks.
“Multiple alternative locations were considered, including behind the library in Orchard Street, in Pyle Street and in lower High Street.
Article continues below this advertisement “However the options were limited practically by the one-way orders and traffic movement restrictions within the town and the requirement for taxis to be able to travel in all directions.
“We were of the view that on balance, the siting of the temporary rank in nearby St James Street was the best option in all the circumstances, however, we were happy to listen and take on board the views of local taxi operators and members.”
The current taxi rank outside Morrisons is required to facilitate the one-way diversion route and the rank outside Peacocks is needed to accommodate Southern Vectis buses which have been displaced by the need to use Church Litten as a free-flowing diversion route. When the easing of COVID-19 restrictions allow Southern Vectis to operate wholly in the bus station, the taxi rank will return to South Street outside of Peacocks for the duration of work at St George’s Way.
The 6-month scheme to widen St George’s Way in Newport has now got underway and road closures will come into force from Monday. As well as a one-way system on St George’s Way (open southbound), the first planned closure of the exit from Furrlongs to St George’s Way will be in place for 2 or 3 days from Monday (15th March).
Even less parking space for shoppers. Is the council determined to destroy Newport High Street? If South street is to be one way past Morrisoms, why can’t the taxi rank be sited there?
It’s dead, flatten it and build a housing estate that is affordable and only for people born here.
Am I missing something?
The taxi ranks aren’t even on the carriageway, they’re in lay byes, so not obstructing any traffic. (Apart from the badly parked ones!)
Ian Ward:
“We were of the view that on balance, the siting of the temporary rank in nearby St James Street was the best option in all the circumstances”
It would seem that the one decided by council/Island Roads “experts” wasn’t the best option after all.
Pleased they listened to the ones affected for a change but why was that not considered in the first place?
Should have consulted the taxi drivers, and others affected, in the first place. Just another situation where the council knows best when actually it hasn’t been thought out.But whatever , it’s a better result, unless you need the car park.
The current taxi rank outside Morrisons is required to facilitate the one-way diversion route. Why? This section is two way so if it is going to be one way towards Coppins Bridge, the lane coming from Coppins Bridge is no longer needed so it can easily be used for the taxi rank rather than using up valuable car parkis places.
There is a car park between Morrisons and Peacocks. Why can not part of it be used for a taxi rank. Leave all edge parking for the public and use the island part of the carpark as a taxi rank.
Another stupid idea from the council not a brain cell between the lot of them get rid of all of them get some thinking people into the offices
I just wonder why the work is starting now as we are coming out of lockdown, very soon now we will also have tourist traffic During the last three months traffic has supposedly been lighter not so many school and or pleasure runs, so why didn’t the work start in January?