Stockport Taxi Drivers Request Barriers at Station Rank Amid ‘Daily Abuse’

Taxi operators have requested the installation of barriers at a designated rank adjacent to a local train station. This measure aims to shield them from “daily abuse” reportedly inflicted by other motorists attempting to park in the area. The Stockport Taxi Association stated that its members “don’t feel safe” while waiting in the specified road area outside the station. This sentiment follows occurrences involving injuries to drivers and damage to their vehicles. According to Asim Javed, a taxi driver in the area, the issue frequently stems from “very dangerous” non-taxi vehicles seeking a convenient location near the station entrance to collect friends or family. Stockport councillor Grace Baynham indicated that increased enforcement measures have been implemented in the vicinity, prompted by the association’s concerns. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the taxi association has additionally requested an increase in traffic warden patrols and the installation of CCTV cameras at the rank situated on Station Road. Tauqir Chaudhry, chairman of the association, stated, “Every second day we get a crime reference number from the police, damage to our cars, and injuries.” He further commented, “People regularly park their vehicles on the taxi rank [on Station Road], the bus stops, and places where they aren’t allowed.” Mr. Javed conveyed that taxi drivers would welcome the installation of barriers on both the road and the pavement, enabling customers to form a single queue. He elaborated, “Sometimes we’re about to move off and people are trying to get in and park next to us on the taxi rank,” adding, “It’s very dangerous, we just want the trouble to stop.” Waseem Saeed, a taxi driver with 14 years of experience in Stockport, remarked: “Every driver here has been involved in some incident with other drivers, it happens every day.“I’ve had it a few times myself. There has been physical fighting. If they put a camera here people would get tickets and it would stop.” Stockport council confirmed it is currently reviewing proposals from the association regarding safety enhancements for taxi drivers operating on the road.