City taxi drivers are furious a petition with more than 3,500 signatures opposing controversial plans to close a popular taxi rank in Inverness will not be considered today by councillors.
The Inverness City Committee meets to discuss recommendations to permanently shut Castle Wynd at the Town House to taxis and move the rank to Eastgate, opposite Marks and Spencers.
Inverness Taxi Alliance (ITA) launched the petition in February, claiming the proposals were “dangerous” for the public.
Chairman Andrew MacDonald said: “It beggars belief they are ignoring the views of more than 3,500 members of the public opposed to this ridiculous move, especially when major issues of safety are concerned.
“The drivers are angry. The council is not offering reasonable accommodation for the taxis.
“The situation of the rank is very much worth having there, with access to the west of the city and elsewhere as you can go both ways.”
Part of the proposals to accommodate the drivers being moved on from Castle Wynd, where Highland Council has plans to develop, was a plan to put ranks at Upper Bridge Street and the High Street near to Marks and Spencer.
Mr MacDonald claimed these were unsuitable because access to the west of the city would be inadequate and fares would therefore rise.
A Highland Council spokesman confirmed the petition would not be considered today, but added: “The petition will be referred to in the context of the report addressing the objections formally lodged to the proposed TRO (Traffic Regulation Order).
“The Petition itself will not be considered as the issues to which it refers are fully covered by the report to committee and the public had a right to lodge formal objection to the TRO.”
