Bruce George MP has written to Walsall Council on behalf of constituents who are wheelchair users’, and Taxi Drivers regarding hackney vehicles located on Bridge Street.

Walsall Council has allocated the right hand side of Bridge Street, facing Sister Dora for the black cabs but users’ and drivers are firmly of the view that this has numerous risks for both passengers and vehicles.

Bruce George said “The major problem arises when the drivers have to pick from, or drop off, at Bridge Street. Most black cabs have been manufactured in such a way that the wheelchair facilities are located on the left hand side of the vehicle. The ramps have to be use and, therefore, this creates an immediate danger and safety hazard as the left side door is the one which opens on to the on-coming traffic.

Bridge Street is very busy and is a main route for buses and vans delivering in this vicinity. The danger posed to the passenger and the driver, who is pushing the wheelchair from off the main street on to the ramp and then into the cab, is enormous. Businesses located on the right hand side of Bridge Street have also complained about the emissions from the cabs. I am at a loss to understand how the Council decided that the right hand side of Bridge Street was the appropriate area to locate the black cabs. Did they consult the taxi drivers? Did they take into account the needs of wheelchair users’ when they used the black cabs? It would make more sense to locate the taxi rank on the left hand side of Bridge Street thus causing no danger or difficulties to drivers and more importantly wheelchair users’.