Furious cabbies say they are 'targeted'

5:00pm Thursday 28th August 2008

A CAB rank for six taxis is at the centre of a dispute at Abingdon, with drivers complaining it can only fit five cars.

Cabbies are protesting that they are being given £30 fines for parking inches over lines etched out for the rank in East St Helen Street.

Jane Smith, 47, who runs local firm PJ Taxis with husband Peter, was given a parking ticket.

She claimed her taxi's back wheels were a "couple of inches" over the end of the taxi rank.

She said: "For 15 years I have parked there and there is a sign that says it is for six taxis, but the sixth car keeps getting parking tickets.

"It is not funny when you spend £30 before you even start work.

"They are targeting us and this is literally becoming a nightmare as we are going to work and getting tickets.

"They are trying to stop us earning a living, which is hard enough as it is in Abingdon, with the traffic."

Peter Warren, of PW Cars, was also given a ticket last month.

He said: "I am upset because it stops me from earning a living. If you can't get on the taxi rank, then you can't get a fare and then you can't get a living.

"They have given us no alternative place to park. The taxi rank can't take six cars, as it is supposed to."

Matty Bird, 29, who works for Su's Taxis, thinks drivers should be given a break.

He said: "The taxi rank is slightly too short. They are targeting the taxis that park outside Fat Face and it has started recently.

"I was really annoyed as I was only doing my days' work and I received a £30 fine - it was more than I made that day."

The Vale of White Horse District Council insisted there was enough room for six taxis in the cab rank if they parked bumper to bumper.

Council spokesman Gavin Walton confirmed the East St Helen Street rank was designed for six taxis.

He said: "If they park bumper to bumper - that is what they are supposed to do - they can fit in. We understand that the police have requested that they do not overhang."

Sgt Charlie Pollard, of Abingdon police, said: "If we catch a vehicle parked where it shouldn't be, the driver will be issued with a £30 fixed penalty notice.

"Please be aware that vehicles parked on pedestrian crossings or the zig-zag lines can be issued with a £60 fine and will receive points on their driving licence."