Disabled couple upset as taxis 'can't drop them off at rank anymore'

Maria Honey, 69, and husband Steven, 70, have regularly used a taxi to travel to the town centre.

They often need to travel to Specsavers, on Bridge Street, with Maria partially sighted and unable to walk far due to nerve damage.

However, while using the same taxi firm that they have for years, they were shocked to be told by the driver that they cannot be dropped off at the rank on Bridge Street, near Specsavers anymore.

Maria said they were told private hire drivers could be fined for using the rank and that they had to be dropped off at a location further away meaning they had to walk the distance to get to Specsavers.

Specsavers, on Bridge Street (Image: Google Street View)

“We have used a taxi to go there all the time,” she said.

“Unfortunately they told us they can’t drop us off outside Specsavers anymore and we had to walk. I have nerve damage and that doesn’t help with me walking, and I am partially sighted.”

READ > Renovated time ball and clock unveiled at historic building

Marie added: “I can’t go anywhere out without a cab. We have both got blue badges.

“The facilities for disabled people in St Helens are appalling.  

“We used to go in a taxi and come back in a taxi, that is what we get our benefits for, to pay for taxis.

“They have been taken us for years and they have been brilliant. I understand they can’t afford a fine, they can’t risk it.”

 “Something needs to be done about it, people should be allowed to be dropped off.”

Bridge Street (Image: Google Street View)

The Star understands that licensing officers have been enforcing the rules on taxi ranks, ahead of the planned closure of two used ranks under the town centre regeneration project and that some drivers have received warnings in relation to this matter.

When asked about the issue, a St Helens Council spokesperson said: “As the licensing authority we work hard to support the local licensed vehicle trade, but we also have a duty enforce the laws that operators and drivers are bound by, and ensure the safety of the travelling public. 

“Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are defined differently in law, with the hackney carriage having greater freedom of collection or dropping off of customers via the hackney carriage ranks, of which there are several in St Helens town centre including Bridge Street.”

They added: “Following some recent reports that private hire vehicles have been using hackney carriage ranks to trade, we have issued reminders to private hire drivers highlighting the national legislation they are bound by. We do not have powers to permit private hire vehicles to park in designated hackney carriage ranks. 

“In this situation, it is correct that a private hire vehicle is not permitted to use the hackney carriage rank on Bridge Street, nor stop to allow passengers out in the designated pedestrian zone. 

“We would advise that passengers can book wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages through some of the borough’s main operators, and so alight at the hackney ranks closer to the high street.”