Bromsgrove town centre residents' anger at waiting taxis

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RESIDENTS living near Station Street in Bromsgrove town centre claim they are fed up with being kept awake by taxis waiting to pick up revellers in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings.

And now, a petition containing 15 names has been presented to the district council in a bid to get something done.

Those living in Guild Court say that from 11.30pm every Friday to 4.30am on Saturday mornings and between 11.30pm on Saturday and 4.30am on Sundays, they are being kept awake by lights shining into their homes and the sound of engines running.

One resident, Kevin Waldron, said there were three spaces opposite the Dog and Pheasant where taxis were able to wait, but many of them were in Station Street on double yellow lines, breaking the rules.

"Why should we have to put up with this?

"Sometimes we have our grandchildren for the weekend and they cannot get to sleep.

"There are people in the houses and flats who have the same problem with their own children.

"I know they've got a job to do, but if there are more taxis than can fit on the rank, they should carry on driving around until they are get a call."

Gail Betts, who also lives on Guild Court, said: "The taxis come into our road to turn around and stop outside my house waiting for a space to become available on the rank.

"The music is really loud and keeps us awake - some mornings it can go on until 4.50am."

A Bromsgrove District Council spokesperson said: "This matter has been brought to our attention and we are currently investigating."

He added officers were continuing to go along to Station Street late at night to monitor the situation.

And he said: "Taxis provide an essential service for people to get home quickly and efficiently, particularly at night and we need to be satisfied this is not causing an issue."

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