Fears put rank idea on hold

Plans to create a taxi rank in Southwell have been put on hold while a consultation takes place.

Newark and Sherwood District Council’s licensing committee agreed to delay a decision to allow for a period of reflection and consultation.

The council had suggested putting a taxi rank in Church Street carpark during the day and on King Street at night.

At a meeting of Southwell’s Safer Neighbourhood Group, the chairman, Mr Peter Harris, who is also a district councillor, said the licensing committee was told the police had suggested a late night taxi rank might reduce anti-social behaviour.

Mr Brendan Haigh, a town councillor, said the proposal had caused concern for a several people.

He said: “I am very much surprised the police have given any support what-so-ever to taxi ranks in the late evening, certainly until 3am.

“It will be encouraging people to come to town for late drinking sessions.

“To provide any sort of public transport, be it bus or taxi, that late at night is a recipe for disaster.”

Southwell Police Community Support Officer Richard Dunn said he and Pc Tony Hayes, who form Southwell Safer Neighbourhood Team, had not put forward the idea of a taxi rank.

The safer neighbourhood group clerk, Mr John Smith, thought it would be reasonable to have a taxi service that ended at 10pm so people could have a meal in the town without having to drive home.

Mr Peter Pay said people could book taxis to pick them up if they wanted.

Mr Harris said the argument for having a taxi rank in the town was because there was no taxi firm in Southwell.

He said getting a taxi late at night was expensive because taxis had to come from Newark and charged for the empty run.

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