Peter Stow's video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sAe37JDINE
Drivers say the seven-space rank is too small and that in the past, they were given leeway to park nearby -- but are now being moved on by the council wardens.
In the past month eight tickets have been issued to taxi drivers, with a fine of £70, which is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
#####FULL STORY####
Angry taxi drivers in Bath fear their livelihoods are being put at risk by what they call the heavy-handed attitude of city-centre traffic wardens.
Drivers who use the busy rank in Orange Grove have complained about a crackdown on their use of the area -- but Bath and North East Somerset Council says it needs to keep traffic moving there.
They are also battling with the council over plans to move the rank to Terrace Walk during the day.
One driver has posted a video on YouTube amid claims that as many as five council enforcement officers at a time can be monitoring Orange Grove.
Peter Stow's video -- Bath City Council, Harassment of the Taxi -- has been viewed more than 250 times.
Drivers say the seven-space rank is too small and that in the past, they were given leeway to park nearby -- but are now being moved on by the council wardens.
In the past month eight tickets have been issued to taxi drivers, with a fine of £70, which is reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Taxi driver Guy Armisterd said the number of wardens in the area was "ridiculous".
He said: "There are too many traffic wardens in Orange Grove, sometimes as many as five, which is ridiculous.
"They are heavy-handed and move drivers on if they cannot get onto the rank.
"Drivers are being forced to keep circling, and for those without a radio this is damaging their trade as they rely on picking people up at the rank."
The officials say they have to work in groups to protect themselves from abuse.
One warden, who did not want to be named, said: "I feel safer when I am in a group, as people can get quite aggressive towards us.
"Being a woman I find it especially intimidating, and I like to have a male colleague with me."
The council is encouraging drivers to use other ranks, but taxi operators say Orange Grove is the busiest point for tourists and that they rely on the location.
It says the number of enforcement officers based in Orange Grove changes depending on the level of traffic.
A spokesman said: "The council deploys civil enforcement officers in order to keep traffic, and particularly taxis and coaches, moving smoothly, enforce parking regulations, and ensure they can conduct their duties as safely as possible.
"Feedback from members of the public suggests that some of the city's taxi ranks are left empty, leaving users to walk to Orange Grove, where many taxis appear to congregate.
"At taxi trade federation meetings we have encouraged drivers to use all ranks throughout the city."
Drivers are also fighting council plans to move the taxi rank around the corner to Terrace Walk during the daytime hours, saying this will have a devastating impact on their trade.
As part of improvements to High Street and Orange Grove, the council wanted to relocate coach bays to Terrace Walk.
However, this met strong opposition from traders in the area and now the council is considering moving the taxi rank to Terrace Walk from 7am to 8pm, with it reverting back to Orange Grove at other times..
The Bath Taxi Association called an urgent meeting to discuss the situation last week, and members say they will fight these plans.
Chairman Ken Taylor said: "If the taxi rank is moved it will affect our business as people will not know where to go to get taxis.
"Members of the public, when asked where the taxi rank is, all say the abbey, as this is a major landmark in the centre and is well known by all our residents.
"To reposition the rank would cause unnecessary stress to these members of the public.
"Also, with the rank being in two different places, this would confuse people as to when and where they would be able to locate a taxi."
The council spokesman said: "The council is continuing to work up options about the future of coach parking and the taxi rank on Orange Grove.
"Further meetings are planned in September with taxi drivers, traders and other interested groups before the council's preferred solution is formally consulted upon as a traffic regulation order."
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Fury-taxi-rank-crackdown/story-13201790-detail/st...
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Bath City Harassment of Taxisby Bentleystow832 views
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