8:00am Monday 30th March 2009
By Helen Orrell
TAXI drivers have been left fuming after a council order barred them from using a taxi and bus lane.
Private hire firms criticised Essex County Council after it passed a traffic order which only allows black cabs along a lane designated for buses and taxis in Nayland Road, Colchester.
The cab companies said the order, which was made by highways officers, was unfair as all other bus lanes in the town are open to both black cab and private-hire drivers.
They were also annoyed as the signs at the entrance to the lane did not show there was a distinction, arguing it could have put them at risk of a fine, or prosecution, if they had unwittingly used it.
Christine Hardie, owner of Panther cabs, said: “We feel it’s unfair and we are being penalised.
“We’re just as good as hackney carriages. We provide the same service, the only difference is we are not allowed to pick up on the street.
“We are allowed to use all the other bus lanes, why not this one?
“It’s inconvenient for our customers, as some want a taxi in an emergency and would have to wait for us to drive the long route round.”
Christie Wettasinghe, owner of Hawaii Five-O taxis, said: “We are fuming.
“We have to take the same tests as hackney carriages and we have been told we are allowed to use the same taxi lanes, so why are they now segregating us?”
Julie Young, Labour ward councillor for St Andrew’s, has called on Essex County Council to change its decision.
She said: “This is completely ridiculous and an exception to all the other bus lane rules around Colchester.
“These drivers are certainly being treated unfairly.
“If you allow one kind of taxi, you must allow the other.”
Norman Hume, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation said: “We are currently investigating the situation along Nayland Road and a decision will be taken shortly.”
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