Bid to find new taxi spaces

From the The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, first published Thursday 9th Mar 2006.

ADDITIONAL taxi ranks could be found in Chippenham town centre following a growing number of taxis.

For months, drivers have complained that North Wiltshire District Council provides just seven taxi spaces in Market Place and at the bottom of New Road.

They were angry that more and more cabs were being licensed but no new ranks supplied.

Now the council's personnel, licensing and administration committee is recommending night-time taxi ranks be provided outside the Venue Fish Bar and Nero's nightclub on The Bridge.

During working hours, the space is used for loading and unloading and on-street parking.

This would provide extra spaces in the evening and would prevent the back-up of taxis towards Station Hill beyond the current feeder rank.

It would also mean there would be a rank on either side of the street, enabling easier access for customers to acquire a taxi.

The other options are to make a daytime taxi rank on The Bridge or use the bus stop in front of The Bridge rank from 10pm each night.

The committee will make a decision on Monday.

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