July 12, 2008
Taxi driver’s call for proper rank
A TAXI driver is considering quitting his job of three weeks as he says there is nowhere to park or pick up in Pencoed.
Simon Curwood, of Glyn-y-Mel, Pencoed, claims there are too few places to park legally in the town.
The 35-year-old says parking has become impossible after the Co-op stopped taxi drivers from parking in its car park between fares.
Mr Curwood, who drives for Breakaway Taxis, says the town has too many double yellow lines and he wants the council to create a taxi rank to solve the situation.
He also suggested pedestrianising Penybont Road except for taxis to solve the situation.
“Legally there aren’t many places I can park in Pencoed,” he said.
“I would always pick up customers from and take them to the Co-op. We have been told we will be clamped.
“We provide a service in this community. Pencoed doesn’t have a taxi rank and we need one. There are yellow lines everywhere.”
Mr Curwood, who worked as a paranormal investigator before driving taxis, is willing to forgo the £350 he paid for his taxi licence as he is so frustrated with the situation.
The father-of-one is even considering selling up and leaving Pencoed, his home for 12 years.
He has scheduled a meeting with Pencoed Town Council and has spoken to Janice Gregory AM about the situation.
“It’s something that makes me not want to be a taxi driver in Pencoed and I have only done this for three weeks,” he said. “I enjoy talking to customers and I get a good response from the office but I can’t see me doing this for more than two weeks.
“Taxis provide such a big service for people who can’t walk, people who don’t drive and people who are ill. I want a designated taxi rank. At the moment, not only am I thinking of finishing doing taxis but I want to move my home and my family.”
A Co-op spokeswoman said the shop had received several complaints from customers unable to park there during busy times.
“Spaces at the Pencoed Co-operative food store are limited and as some taxi drivers have been parking in the car park for long periods of time and often in disabled bays, many of our customers cannot find a parking space.
“While we are happy for taxi drivers to use the car park to pick up and drop off their customers, we have asked that they refrain from using the car park as a base.
“We realise some of the taxi drivers shop in the store but would ask that they co-operate and do not take advantage of the maximum two-hour parking limit.”
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