GMB TAXI DRIVERS WORKING IN ASHFORD STATION CALL FOR REVIEW

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[brightonbreezy]

GMB TAXI DRIVERS WORKING IN ASHFORD KENT CALL FOR REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS WHICH EXCLUDE BUSES AND TAXIS FROM THE RAIL STATION

Drivers seek to alter the plans to achieve both a pedestrian friendly environment and ease of access to essential transport

Mick Hildreth GMB Secretary of the Professional Drivers National Organising Committee commented on plans to change arrangements at Ashford railway station in Kent.

He said, 'It seems ridiculous that both the taxis and buses working from Ashford Station are being moved to make way for an area described by a representative of South Eastern Trains as a pedestrian plaza. Such an area we are told is essential as the private company, Ashford’s Future, responsible for the project has received a grant from a government department to make it happen. Work is due to start on June 10th.

Whilst GMB support changes to streets and squares to make them pedestrian friendly we cannot sit by and allow essential transport to be moved to a position where the travelling public will not be able to see them and for no consideration to be given to the disabled, infirm or mothers with young children who use the services provided by taxis and buses.

It is quite clear from evidence in a recent report to the Government that taxis are an integral part of the local transport infrastructure and should be positioned as close to train station entrances as possible. If this project continues in its current format disabled and elderly people will be deprived of the existing convenient and reliable service. We need a review to alter the plans to achieve both a pedestrian friendly environment and ease of access to essential transport.”

Ends

Contact: Mick Hildreth GMB PDB Provincial Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Secretary GMB PDB National Organising Committee on 07814 032002 or GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy, GMB on 07974 251823.

[brightonbreezy]

Do you know about the changes planned at Ashford International Station?

If you use a bus or taxi to get to or from the station, or if you are disabled these changes will affect you.

Ashford’s Future, (responsible for the town and ring road developments), together with the rail operator Southeastern plan to turn the station forecourt into a pedestrian only area.

This will mean that mothers, disabled travellers and those with heavy luggage will have to negotiate a wide area, with staggered flower beds, seating and other obstructions to get to the bus stop. It is proposed that the taxi rank will be over the footbridge, and barely visible from the station exits, so first time visitors will be at a loss to find a taxi.

For the disabled things will be even worse; the parking spaces currently outside the station will disappear, and the nearest ones will then be a very long way away, as will suitable places for dropping off/picking up.

The budget for this project is £2.5 million, but those controlling it don’t recognise Ashford International as an important International transport interchange. They want to create an open space for people to hang around. The needs of people making a journey are, it seems, not important.

We think that with £2.5 million, and a little more consideration for the needs of ALL the passengers passing through the developers could make Ashford International a really safe, efficient and pleasant place to travel through.

To see details of this project, which is due to begin in June, visit http://www.ashfordbestplaced.co.u...ansport/station_improvements.aspx  to view the leaflet.

If, like us, you think this is a lost opportunity for Ashford International to meet the transport needs of a growing town, in the twenty first century you could contact any or all of the following

Chairman of the Booard of Ashford's Future paul.clokie@ashford.gov.uk

Damian Green, MP for Ashford at greend@parliament.uk

Southeastern rail go to: http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/about-us/contact-us/

Your local councillor; details can be found at http://www.ashford.gov.uk/council_democracy/councillors.aspx

[brightonbreezy]

GMB members threatened by South Eastern Railways

Members of the GMB Professional Drivers Branch in Ashford who have been leafleting passengers who use their taxis, in an attempt to raise the profile of the unacceptable redevelopment proposals for the forecourt of Ashford International Station, have been threatened with being barred from using the taxi rank at the Station.

Following an alleged complaint by a passenger, Nina Peak, project manager at South Eastern Railways contacted Mick Hildreth (Secretary of the Professional Drivers Branch) and stated that any taxi drivers who continue to distribute the information leaflet, written by local members, will risk being barred from plying for hire on the railway station taxi rank. This would seriously compromise their livelihood, as the railway station is a significant source of revenue for the taxi trade in Ashford.

The proposed redevelopment will see the whole station forecourt, including the disabled parking spaces, become a pedestrian plaza, with all public transport provision pushed to the periphery; the taxi rank will be on the far side of the footbridge, and barely visible from the station exits.
Other groups who oppose this plan include the Centre for Independent Living, Kent (CILK), who advises on disability access issues. They are concerned that the designers have not given due consideration to their obligations under current disability equality legislation.

The GMB have made contact with their Comrades in the local RMT and a meeting is being planned over  Health & Safety issues which this new development will bring for both GMB and RMT members.

[nemo]

I can't help thinking that the whle reason for this project seems to be to fill the pockets of the few and send the travelling public to hell in a hand cart.

Have you lefletted the travelling public on the train service. You may find some good support there. There are some influential people on that train.