Businesses in Chelmsford’s “West End Strip” have hit out at “inconsiderate” taxi drivers who are using the road outside their properties as a taxi rank in the evenings, claiming they are losing trade as a result. Managers of both Radio City bar and Zorba The Greek restaurant in Viaduct Road claim taxis will regularly park right outside their entrances, with some being abusive when confronted.
The road, situated next to Chelmsford Bus Station and the railway station. has a small number of bays for taxis opposite live music venue Hot Box, with the rest of the road being a mix of “keep clear” areas, double yellow lines and several parking bays, free after 6pm.
Yet despite the conditions for parking on the road – and there being a larger taxi rank in Railway Street just around the corner – businesses there say taxi drivers will routinely ignore conditions and “block up” the road. They claim cars will be double parked in front of Zorba and then also on double yellow lines on the other side. EssexLive has visited the road and observed taxis parked up on double yellows, and in some of the “keep clear” areas.
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Chelmsford City Council and its partner company the South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) have acknowledged there are “ongoing problems” in Viaduct Road and said it has increased funding for more warden patrols. It has added however that it is not able to police the road all the time, with problems returning once wardens leave.
Dan Harvey, owner of Radio City in Viaduct Road, said he has tried contacting the council to little effect, and has also been raising the issue with Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman. He said: “They are a pain in the arse. They block up the road and make it not very appealing to come down, let alone if we have someone disabled trying to get in.
“They need to move the taxi rank to the rank at the station. The council said we should challenge them and if they give you jip later, you tell us the individual taxi number. I’m trying to run a bar, I can’t be out dealing with taxis all day. [I can’t be] reporting every single one. The council needs to enforce it.”
Mr Harvey said some drivers have told him to “f*** off” when challenged, and some become a “law into themselves” when the traffic wardens leave in the evenings. He said if the road was clearer, more businesses would be encouraged to open under the arches, calling it the “West End Strip”. He said Radio City is doing well after “building a community” around the bar, but business could do even better without the taxi “menace” on the street.
(Image: Dan Harvey)
He added: “There are parking bays and when they are full they park on the rest of the road and park on the double yellows and no waiting areas. I don’t want to put anyone out, they are doing their jobs, but have no consideration for us, a little independent bar. It’s a nightmare.”
‘People didn’t know we were here until the taxis were gone’
Stella Georgali, manager of Zorba the Greek, said the restaurant recently had four separate walk-in tables who didn’t know there was a restaurant behind the rows of taxis often parked in Viaduct Road. She claims the constant use of the road by the vehicles is costing the restaurant, which has been running for the past 13 years, trade.
She said: “My main issue was that it was a hindrance because they did not realise – I don’t know if it’s ignorance or not – that they are parking in front of our doors which is our livelihood. It’s very annoying; if we have anyone with special needs, I would have to go outside and tell them to move because they can’t get through the door.
“[When the wardens] were there we had four walk-in tables who walk past on a daily basis but never knew it was a restaurant. That was a slap in the face. We are not getting the walk-ins that we should, we’ve been here for 13 years, the taxis block in our windows. All four walk-ins told me the same thing, I’m fuming.”
(Image: EssexLive)
Ms Georgali said that some of the drivers are “really lovely” who will come into the restaurant and talk with staff, but said many were not and were “ignorant”, adding that when the road is busy with taxis, fumes will come into their restaurant. She added: “I’m seriously considering putting a petition to get rid of that rank, we are struggling.”
Marie Goldman, MP for Chelmsford, said: “I understand how frustrating this situation must be for the businesses, and I’m working on a resolution. I’ve already been in touch with local Essex County Councillor Jude Deakin, who has reached out to Essex County Council for further information.
“She’s inquired whether it’s possible to extend the station taxi rank to include the area in question, or if Traffic Regulation Orders could be updated to make the restrictions apply 24/7. This would allow traffic wardens to issue penalties for any illegal parking. I am currently awaiting a response on this.”
(Image: Stella Georgali)
A spokesman for Chelmford City Council said: “Chelmsford City Council and South Essex Parking Partnership (SEPP) are aware that there are ongoing problems around the taxi rank on Viaduct Road. SEPP recently approved additional funding to increase enforcement patrols on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings across various city centre locations, including Viaduct Road. These additional patrols commenced in late December.
“Unfortunately, while we acknowledge that inconsiderate parking habits soon return once an enforcement officer leaves the location, it is not operationally viable to have an officer there at all times. The council and SEPP are looking into further options to improve this situation. We encourage residents and businesses to report concerns to us, so that we are aware of any developments and possible persistent offenders.”
