Commuters to benefit from new taxi ranks

Apr 24 2009 By Adam Courtney

Four new taxi ranks will be installed in Spelthorne, following a month-long consultation.

The new ranks will be at: Ashford, Sunbury and Shepperton train stations, and Staines High Street. In addition, the rank in Gresham Road, Staines, will be extended to have room for five taxis, as opposed to the current three, and will be moved slightly further east.

The Council received no objections to the proposals for Ashford, Sunbury or the bus stop taxi rank in Staines High Street. There was just one complaint in Shepperton.

But objections were received about the extension in Gresham Road relating to taxis parking illegally on both sides of the road, as residents believe increased use will create poor visibility for pedestrians and more crowded pavements, concerns dismissed by the council, which says extra space will actually deter drivers from parking illegally. It has also pledged continued enforcement.

Councillor Colin Davis, cabinet member for regeneration said: “While we have listened carefully to representations made to us, there is clearly customer demand for an expanded rank in Gresham Road. Double yellow lines are soon to be installed along Gresham Road, up to the location of the rank and this should discourage illegal parking.

"The rank is ideally located for those leaving the railway station, particularly those with disabilities and, providing it is correctly used, should be a valuable extra means of transport.

“We shall monitor the situation and have powers to take the appropriate action should there be any breaches of licensing bye-laws”.