Taxi rank restriction proposals anger drivers

Proposals to restrict the times taxis can use a town centre rank would lead to a "considerable" loss of earnings, drivers warned.

Norfolk County Council wants to put in a new bus lane, meaning the taxi rank outside the Troll Cart pub in Temple Road, Great Yarmouth would only be in use between 23:00 and 05:00.

Great Yarmouth Taxi Association said the proposals were being pushed through without proper consideration for how the decision would affect their trade.

The council said the project would make bus journeys faster and more reliable, separate buses from general traffic and boost the local economy.

The taxi rank decision is part of a £2m project that would see a new bus lane running in the opposite direction from the current flow of traffic.

The taxi rank outside Theatre Plain would be expanded to allow for 12 cars and new taxi ranks would be built at the Market Gates Road, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Sean Morley, from the town's taxi association, said: "The Troll Cart rank is a mainstay of our business and is one of the busiest areas.

"This will hit our trade and will pull customers away.

"We feel we have been pushed to the wayside in favour of the buses."

The council's licensing committee is expected to vote on the changes at a meeting next year.

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