Fifty taxi drivers have been fined in a zero tolerance crackdown on ‘over-ranking’ in the middle of Cambridge. Police have targeted cabbies in St Andrew’s Street amid concerns that cars queuing beyond the end of the rank hold up buses and pose a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists. The 50 fines, of £30 each, were issued over the last three months for causing an unnecessary obstruction, after the issue was selected as a priority by councillors. But taxi drivers have questioned the operation, arguing it would be fairer to start enforcement once a ‘feeder’ rank is opened in Drummer Street. David Wratten, a director of Cambridge City Licensed Taxis, which represents the trade, said: “I understand where the police are coming from but at the same time we need to get the problem solved and then enforcement should start. “Until we get a solution they will keep over-ranking, because they have no way of knowing how long they should sit in Drummer Street before coming round. “It’s not like we’re sitting back doing nothing to deal with it, the trade has been pushing for this for a couple of years.” More than 600 people signed a petition against the option of closing the St Andrew’s Street rank. Under plans which are now being considered, taxis will wait in Drummer Street before being alerted to a space round the corner via radios or screens. This way forward was backed by 78 per cent of respondents to a council consultation. Insp Steve Poppitt, the city’s top officer, said it was right that the crackdown started now. He said: “This problem has been identified as a priority by the local councillors and police are working with the city council to take positive action. “A zero tolerance approach will be taken with any vehicles parked in dangerous positions or causing an obstruction of the highway including the footpaths. “I would urge motorists to park sensibly in Cambridge city centre.” Over-ranking in St Andrew’s Street was a priority for police in the city centre along with cycle crime and anti-social behaviour around The Grafton centre and Christ’s Pieces. There have been 24 cycle theft arrests in the last quarter. A total of 1,350 fines have now been issued for cycling offences. Eighty per cent of these were voided under the ‘lights instead of tickets’ initiative.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 23:42:01 +0000
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