Issue - meetings

To enable the Plan E Highways Improvements works to progress as intended, it is necessary to make a Parking Place Order for Hackney Carriages between 112 (at the eastern extent) and 122 (at the western extent) High Street, Epsom, and cancel the appointment of the established rank situated by the Clock Tower, High Street, Epsom. The Order was advertised as required under Section 63 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and representations have been received.

Members are required to take into account the representations and determine if the order should be approved.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed that the Traffic Order for establishment of a new Taxi Rank should be made.

(2)          Agreed that the Traffic Order for the existing Taxi Rank by the Clock Tower, Epsom should be cancelled.

The Committee received a report presenting representations received in response to the advertisement of a Parking Place Order for Hackney Carriages. The proposed Order was to cover the area between 112 (at the eastern extent) and 122 (at the western extent) High Street, Epsom. It was also proposed that the appointment of the existing established Hackney Carriage Rank situated by the Clock Tower, High Street, Epsom should be cancelled.

The Committee received a verbal representation from Mr Richard Massett, Chairman of the Licensed Taxi Driver’s Association with regard to the report.

The Committee considered the report and representations received. The following matters were noted:

a)            Rationale for scheme. The Committee was informed of the of public consultation activities undertaken since 2015 which had included the proposal to relocate the taxi rank. Alternative locations for the rank had been considered during the planning and consultation process, but all had been found to be less suitable than the proposed site.

b)            Benefits of the proposed new rank. The Committee was informed that the new location would provide and enable a number of benefits, including improved accessibility for wheelchair users, prohibition of non-compliance from private hire vehicles and a reduction in congestion of the Spread Eagle and West Street/High Street junctions.

c)            Future use of existing taxi rank location. The Committee was informed that the existing taxi rank location would be utilised as an extension of the marketplace area following the traffic order for it being cancelled. Officers anticipated that this change would be implemented shortly after the establishment of the new rank.

Following consideration of the report and representations, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed that the Traffic Order for establishment of a new Taxi Rank should be made.

(2)          Agreed that the Traffic Order for the existing Taxi Rank by the Clock Tower, Epsom should be cancelled.