TooManyTaxis in Barrow

Source: NW Evening Mail

A TAXI office owner has denied that his firm is responsible for congestion in the town centre.But Barrow planning committee yesterday turned down a bid by Barrow Cars to remain at number 80 Cavendish Street.

The retrospective application by Tony and Debbie Armstrong for change of use from tea room and bakery to taxi office was unanimously rejected by councillors.

Mr Armstrong told the committee they had worked in the area for six months and that the complaints were dated in October – and that there were no new ones.

He said the traffic congestion was at the other end of Cavendish Street with other taxi firms ‘touting’ for business.

Mr Armstrong said: “I have written to the Chief Constable to say that it has nothing to do with Barrow Cars. It is not necessarily always us, every taxi comes up and down the street.

“There are complaints about litter but the bins have been removed since Cumbria County Council started work on Dalton Road.”

Several businesses had in Cavendish Street objected to the application while a rival firm, Central Cars in Slater Street, said another taxi office would damage their business.

Mr Armstrong pointed out that they had 14 seats in their office – compared to five for Central Cars – and were situated no closer to their rivals than when in Ramsden Square.

Councillor Jill Heath said she had to reverse the full length of Cavendish Street because taxis were causing gridlock but accepted it may not have been those belonging to Barrow Cars.

The landlords of the premises, which was previously run as Alison’s Deli, had also objected to the proposal but Mrs Alison Johnston did not appear at the Town Hall meeting as anticipated.

Council principal planning officer Charles Wilton, in recommending refusal, said the key objection by officers and police was the fear that taxis could use the pedestrianised section of Dalton Road.

He added: “This would be to the unacceptable detriment of public safety as it offers a convenient route avoiding the congested area.”

Councillors also want to serve an enforcement notice served which requires the cessation of the taxi office within three months.