May 15, 2019
Alastair Majury on Dunblane Streetscape Taxi Issues
A Dunblane taxi company has raised concerns, that the recently approved Dunblane Community Parking Management Plan (CPMP) proposals don’t resolve the ongoing issues with the new taxi rank created as part of the £1.3M streetscape changes. Local Councillor Alastair Majury, is working with the help of the Stirling Area Access Panel, to help resolve these issues.
Previously the taxi rank had space for three taxis, now there is only space for one. This means that if the taxi rank is occupied when the only purpose-built taxi that takes a wheelchair in Dunblane, arrives it has to move on. Even when there is space available, the rank is not suitable as due to the standard design of taxis is to load wheelchairs from the back-passenger side. However, there is insufficient space to allow a wheelchair to be loaded, at the taxi rank.
When the streetscape was being designed concerns were raised about whether the design would comply with BS8300 and the 2010 Equality Act, due to the disabled parking being moved further away from the station, and in general that accessibility looked worse. These concerns were not acted on as the proposal as implemented was likely to be the only way that the council could obtain funding from SUSTRANS in order to proceed with the streetscape changes.
Local Councillor Alastair Majury said:
“These streetscape changes resulting in the new taxi area, are very unpopular. Stirling Council needs to ensure that Dunblane has a taxi rank that is inclusive, and fit for purpose. This needs to be sorted out and changes made. The Council should not be chasing Sustrans money unless it can be used to deliver something that the community wants and actually works. This is just one example of why so many people want a petition heard by the Council and heard it should be.”
