Black & White Cabs ~ parking

The crescent of plastic barrier is often pushed up against the kerb and is therefore of no use. The parking of taxis (main culprits) on the corner needs Policing. Parking on a Yellow Box Junction would be an 'Absolute Offence' which could be prosecuted. A Traffic Audit would help, re-enforced with a video.

This is being investigated by 'all the authorities.' British Transport Police 'police' this Street. The matter has hopefully been escalated to all interested parties.

Apparently New Station Street is the patrol responsibility of British Transport Police! The Council, West Yorkshire Police, etc need to get together. If a yellow box hatching area was made then offences are made and therefore tickets can be issued. The trouble is there are too many black & white cabs. Apparently the loss of the contract at Leeds Bradford Airport has resulted in the increase in numbers. This is set to run and run. << Watch this space >>

The length of plastic barrier seems to spend most of the time up against the kerb edge. No one wants to address this matter. West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Leeds City Council & local bus groups need to thrash this out! Parking within a specified distance of a road junction is I believe an offence... not if you're a taxi driver! I will attend the next appropriate Licensing Meeting at Leeds City Council, that might cause a stir. << Watch this space >>

A meeting is needed to decide who has the power to determine the parking methodology. On-going...

Some nice new yellow lines have been painted on the road, taxis still obstruct the junction at times. When will Leeds City Council / British Transport Police / The Highways Agency / Whoever.... get a grip and do something constructive? If a yellow hatched box junction was marked out then offences could be ticketed. << Watch this space >>

My own MP, Fabian Hamilton, will not get involved apart from writing to Leeds City Council... it's not his constituency you see! The newly painted road markings showing the taxi bay are not observed, the junction is still stuffed with taxis and the knock on effect is evident in Boar Lane throughout the day. I've written to Hillary Benn MP, it his his constituency. Buck passing is alive and well it seems!

The matter has been raised again by my MP. Hilary Benn MP, did not bother to respond to my email; it is in his constituency. The taxis are still ignoring the marked taxi bay area. Until a yellow box junction is painted there will be not incentive for the 'authorities' to penalise the taxi drivers. It still gets congested at times when taxis from the City Square direction are waiting to turn right into New Station St. << Watch this space >>

It appears that there are efforts to ease the problems associated with this surfeit of taxis. Various authorities are at least talking to each other and attempting to sort out a solution. The fact that New Station Street is in effect a 'Private Road' doesn't make the resolution easier to reach. I have received a letter from Hillary Benn MP which is a copy of a comprehensive letter sent to him by a LCCouncil staff member. << Watch this space >>

Mike P should ask himself this. If he bought a ticket for Elland Road he would expect to watch football though he may have to queue to get in If he bought a train season ticket he would expect to get on his train, though he may have to queue

The same applies to taxi drivers, they pay for a annual permit to Network Rail and expect to access the Station Rank even though they may have to queue.

The simple fact is that when the Station became a bus terminal, Metro ensured that the Taxi Rank was moved, reduced and designed in such a way that it is impossible to provide the service required. If he wished he could count the number of busses that now enter New Station Street 60 to 90 per hour, do they not also contribute to this Traffic problem.

I do not know who Mike P is but he certainly has a down on taxi drivers.

He may be pleased to know that the taxi drivers also pay for Taxi marshals in New Station Street to keep the junction clear. Another function that cost each driver part of his revenue.

Mike P mentions the Airport and it is true that the loss of that other fee paying rank was always going to force Taxis into the City Centre. Like Mike P the taxi trade tried to alleviate the obvious problems that were about to descend on the City Centre by asking the Council to provide sufficient ranks for these extra taxis.

Please MIke P give us a break from your witch hunt. MPs Mr Benn and Mr Hamilton could of course get behind the Taxi Drivers in there fight for equality with Metro in the Station.

The various parties involved are trying to come to a sensible outcome. As the road in question is a private road, there are complications. If the authorities 'police' Boar Lane then the blockages might lessen. Time will tell.... it'll soon be Christmas!

There is still some 'creative driving & parking' been exhibited by some drivers. The crux of the problem is that New Station Street is 'private (property)' and therefore to some extent outside Highway laws. A firm hand or two is needed to counter the apparent aggression shown by some drivers to Authority. << Watch this space >>

It doesn't appear to be any better. As this is now 'old hat' the 'authorities' have 'gone off the boil.' An example of it not being anybody's problem.... << Watch this space >>

It's still very hit & miss as to whether the junction / crossing is blocked by taxis. No one in authority is bothered.

I was on the bus in New Station St. this morning, despite a person in a high vis. jacket, apparently taking notes, taxis still tried to park by the plastic cone barrier. Taxis coming from the Briggate direction on Boar Lane, can not see around the corner, unlike those taxis queueing on Boar Lane from City Sq. It's still not perfect but it is getting a bit better.

Hit & miss situation, some times the parking is 'sensible' other times the parking is on the bend/corner and blocks access for the buses. No one in 'authority' seems bothered.

Some days it's OK and on other days it's a mess! Someone needs to take a firm grip of the situation; it won't happen in a month of Sundays!

It's still very hit & miss. When there's someone present in a hi-vis jacket, supposedly looking after the 'system' the taxis often still partly obscure the junction. Issuing tickets to offenders will help, but being a part private road, complicates matters. << Ongoing >>

Much as previous mentions, some days are better than other days. Just what the chap in the high vis jacket does apart from scribbling on a notepad is not clear. << Ongoing >>

The hi vis man just might be making a differnece, but at what cost? Who pays? << Ongoing >>

Variable success noted with the hi vis man + plastic barriers. Ongoing...

<< Ongoing, "curate's egg" situation. >>

<< Ongoing, let's see what happens during the Christmas period. >>

Sometimes it seems to be working, the Christmas period will be interesting...

Hit & Miss re policing of the area. Sometimes the hi viz operative makes a difference but often taxis still block the prohibited areas. << Ongoing >>

Curates egg...

Hit & miss...