End in sight for unwanted Brighton taxi ranks

Two unwanted taxi ranks could finally go after a year-long campaign by people in Bevendean.

A decision about their future is due to be made on Tuesday (2 October) by the Brighton and Hove City Council Transport Committee.

Councillor Mo Marsh, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, has written to the committee chairman, Councillor Ian Davey, and his fellow committee members.

She asked for the ranks to be replaced by ordinary parking spaces.

The Labour councillor said: “In October 2011 a year ago, I attended Councillor Davey’s CMM (cabinet member meeting) and presented a petition with over 1,000 signatures from residents requesting the removal of the two unwanted taxi rank bays in The Avenue.

“Residents’ wishes were respected and Councillor Davey agreed to the removal of these ranks after monitoring by traffic officers showing there was no demand for them.

“For some reason the decision to remove the ranks was not published in the next TRO (traffic regulation order) but had to wait until the following TRO which was delayed until June this year.”

The TROs are a step in the legal process that has to be followed to make changes to the way roads are used.

Councillor Marsh said: “One objection has been received and so the decision has come back to committee.

“On behalf of my residents I ask again that these unwanted and unused ranks are removed restoring much-needed parking places for my residents as they have requested and have demonstrated in their petition.”