Wolverhampton pedestrianised zone 'killing off taxi trade'
Black cab drivers in Wolverhampton city centre claim the bulk of their trade has been killed off since a major route was pedestrianised.
Taxi drivers have asked the city council to quash a rule barring cabs through the pedestrian zone in Princess Street.
The proposal is one of three that the Wolverhampton Hackney Carriage Drivers Association (WHCDA) has submitted to licensing bosses at Wolverhampton council.
Muhammad Nasim, spokesman for WHCDA, said: "We have lost most of our trade from the Market Street taxi rank since the new road layout came into being last year.
"Most passengers are elderly or disabled and are paying extra for the journey as we now have to go through Queen Street. At times traffic can get blocked down there making it impossible for traffic to flow.
"Allowing Hackney carriages through the pedestrianised zone is in the best interest of public safety and will help to keep taxi fares low."
The WHCDA has also asked the council to step up visits from its enforcement team to stop private hire taxi drivers from unfairly taking trade.
They say out of city taxis and private hire taxis are poaching passengers by illegally stopping at designated ranks outside a number of city centre venues.
"They are also driving around the city and poaching passengers," added Mr Nasim.
"If we ask them to move on they say 'we are taxis too'. By doing this they are causing congestion and pollution."
The WHCDA has also asked the council to reimplement a previously used test system for private hire drivers.
Mr Nasim said the test - which includes theory and practical elements - would help to improve the quality of private hire drivers operating in the city.
The WHCDA has written to Wolverhampton council requesting action over the three issues.
"These issues are urgent and although they have been brought up with the council in the past we are still waiting for action," added Mr Nasim.
The proposals have been agreed by private hire firms Rainbow Taxis and Associated Taxis, as well as the Taxi Owners Association (TOA).
Colin Parr, licensing manager at Wolverhampton council, said the proposals would be considered at the authority's upcoming meeting with the WHCDA.
Taxi drivers have long been at loggerheads with the council over the number of cars operating in the city.
And last year the TOA demanded a clampdown on the number of foreign cabbies being given licences amid concerns about their level of English.
