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The Committee received and considered the Licensing and Elections Manager’s report which asked Members to consider proposed changes to an existing first class hackney carriage stand and an addition of a new first class hackney carriage stand.
Councillor Wainwright asked in relation to the comments that had been received and asked how many this had been sent to, the Licensing and Elections Manager advised that a letter had been sent to 200 people.
The Chairman summarised his views of the application, he advised that he had visited the site and noticed numerous issues with buses offloading and taxis collecting passengers. He reported that he had undertaken a visit to the nearby site at Market Gates.
The Chairman suggested that in order to try and negate future issues a site be located close to the Feathers Public House whereby 2 spaces could be introduced.
Councillor Talbot stated that in her opinion the plans as proposed would be better suited to the area. Councillor Wells raised his concerns to the proposed rank, as he felt this would be unused as it was situated in the middle of the two main ranks and not on a direct route for potential passengers. Some concern with regard to the timetabling of buses and the arrival of coaches was also raised.
Councillor Wainwright pointed out that he had never received any negative feedback with regard to the current rank.
The Chairman advised that Norfolk County Council were planning to resurface the current rank area in November
The County Council Representative advised that this area was part of the sustainable transport schemes, he advised that some concerns had been raised by local bus companies and some taxi drivers, and therefore sustainable transport would be looking to reduce the risk impact of this site together with the congestion.
Councillor Cordiner-Achenbach sought clarification as to how many spaces taxi drivers could use in light of the number of buses and coaches using the site, this was confirmed.
Councillor Bird reiterated some of the concerns that had been raised. He commented on the proposed new rank and felt that this would cause a number of issues due to this area being used by a number of disabled residents visiting the town centre.
Councillor Robinson-Payne commented on the current traffic flow at Market Gates as stated that this was a particularly busy area of the town.
Councillor B Walker commented that he felt the proposed bus stop move was a positive move to alleviate some of the traffic flow at the site, but he felt that there was not the demand for additional taxi ranks due to the current ranks not fulfilling the capacity already given.
Councillor P Carpenter made reference to coaches that used the site and asked if drivers could be asked to locate themselves elsewhere instead of using the facility during a rest period. The County Council representative advised that from September, the National Express coaches that used the site would be located at an alternative stand.
Councillor Talbot asked whether an alternative location near to the Fisherman’s Hospital would be more suitable, although Members felt that this area would be too narrow for the use of the taxi rank and therefore not suitable.
Councillor P Carpenter sought clarification as to when the work would be completed and it was confirmed that this would be completed in November.
Members felt that the new rank at Market Gates would be unused and asked the representative of Norfolk County Council to consider the alternatives suggested.
RESOLVED :
(1) That Members considered the following proposed changes to an existing first class hackney carriage stand (which currently has a combined usage with buses) and an addition of a new first class hackney carriage stand:
- One 26 metre long, Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant, bus bay
at the northern end of the layby on Temple Road, Great Yarmouth.
- One new 45 metre long taxi rank in the remainder of the layby on Temple
Road, Great Yarmouth which should accommodate up to 8 taxis. This is one
less than is available at present.
- One new 22 metre long taxi bay on the southern side of Market Gates which
should accommodate 4 taxis
(2) That Approval be given to formally advertise the order for the proposed changes to the exisitng Hackney Carriage Stand namely One new 45 metre long taxi rank in the remainder of the layby on Temple Road, Great Yarmouth which should accommodate up to 8 taxis and that the decision on the new 22 metre long taxi bay be deferred to the next Licensing Committee to enable other options to be explored by Norfolk County Council.