Category: General Taxi Issues

The Public Health team want to close and move Fore Street Rank!

The reasons Public Health gave for their request is as follows:-

“This is a single carriageway one way road, with queues and crowds waiting to go into the nightclub, drinking outside the pub, eating and going to and from fast food outlets, and getting off or waiting for taxis.

After hours at the weekend it’s the single location in Cornwall with the largest incidence of assaults and A&E presentations.

Sailors have redesigned their entrance, doubled up on ticket machines, moved the queue further inside, created a smoking area at the back, gone to all plastic/no glass, and removed bar furniture from the front of their premises.

We still have problems, and I feel that we really need to move the taxi queues elsewhere, so that groups of alcohol fuelled individuals don’t get drawn together to the same place at the end of the evening.

My suggestions would be to end its use after 11PM, and to have a second taxi waiting area either on the Sainsbury’s Carpark (while it’s closed) or round by the bus bays.”

This is a very serious issue and we need your comments now!

Mark Formosa and I had a meeting yesterday at Newquay Police Station with Sgt Johnson, where we discussed the main concerns that most of us have. The unexpected road closure on NYE, parking issues, and support regarding violence and aggression toward drivers. The main purpose being to improve our working environment. The meeting was very positive and offered promise, and it was agreed a good idea to create a closed group forum on Facebook for up to date interaction for all.

You can find facebook group here

Someone has asked for a discussion asking everyone to consider the advantages, and perceived disadvantages in the Association putting its weight behind a request to have all 6 Zones’ Hackney fares the same fare – whatever that fare may be. So please give us your comments.

Two members of the trade attended this meeting, Chairman of the Falmouth Association, and myself (S Witchell) Secretary of Newquay Association. A letter from Cllr Geoff Brown was read out, then both members of the trade were given 3 minutes to speak their case before the committee decided on the issues, putting forward the arguments of raised costs with no direct benefit. I am pleased to report that thanks to our efforts (meeting with Geoff Brown in February) and further responses, the committee concluded to NOT introduce the proposed additional knowledge test and driver assessment, and further concluded to remove the existing tests from the driver application process in Kerrier & Caradon Zones! So all being well, the additional test issue is dead.

However, they also ruled that there would be more focus on the conditions attached to a driver licence, and that at the point of renewal, the applicant would be required to specifically sign a copy of the conditions to ensure they are understood, with the possibility of the Council providing a short video on requirements that would need to be watched, but this is a matter for future debate.

The proposed additions and amendments to the conditions were also approved by the committee.

Great News – people are showing their support & Joining! The Newquay Taxi & Private Hire Drivers Association are now actively seeking membership from all Hackney Carriage Proprietors. Once enough members have joined, benefits could include affiliation to one of the National Taxi Associations just for starters. Join the association and give it your support now! Read more…