Below is the latest taxi ranks update to help keep you informed, follow the links provided for more information.
News
Finsbury Park
On Friday 7 June and Saturday 8 June 2013 The Stone Roses are playing in Finsbury Park. On both evenings there will be various road closures in place and it will not be possible for taxis or buses to access Station Place from 22:00. Access is expected to be possible from 23:45 but this will depend upon how quickly the crowds disperse.
During the closure a temporary taxi rank will operate in Coleridge Road, in the bus stand and drivers who would normally use the Finsbury Park Station taxi rank can use this temporary taxi rank. This temporary rank will be in operation from 21:00 and during the road closures which are scheduled to bebetween 22:00 and 23:45. Access to this rank will be via Isleden Road.
A second temporary taxi rank for around 20 taxis will also operate in the north west of Finsbury Park, this will also be available from 21:00 and will be accessible from Endymion Road and the Hornsey Gate.
Both ranks will be marshalled and drivers should follow the instructions of the marshals. The concert is scheduled to finishat 22:30 and tickets for both nights have sold out, so there may be a high demand for taxis.
New Taxi rank at Zuma
A new taxi rank has been appointed for Zuma in Raphael Street. The rank is for three taxis and is in two portions, with the first portion directly outside of the door of Zuma.
The rank operates between 18:30 and 08:30. The taxi rank will be closely monitored and it is essential that drivers do not obstruct other vehicles or block the access to the buildings near Zuma, otherwise the rank may have to be removed
Regent Street works
New works in Regent Street are due to commence soon as part of The Crown Estate’s ongoing Regent Street Vision investment programme. The next stage of works will involve widening the footway on the western side of Regent Street between Conduit Street and New Burlington Street.
This works will be done in two phases and during each phase one of the centre of the road taxi ranks between Conduit Street and New Burlington Street will not be available, due to the works extending into the carriageway and traffic being moved into the centre of the road. However, it has been agreed that whilst one rank is suspended the other will remain operational.
Phase 1 of the works is scheduled to starton 8 June 2013 and last for approximately 3 weeks, with phase 2 starting after the first stage is completed and expected to last for approximately 4-5 weeks.
There will be roadside signs and variable message signs (VMS) around the area advising general traffic of the works and to avoid Regent Street where possible. Traffic, congestion and the traffic management arrangements will be monitored.
The aim of the Regent Street Vision is to transform Regent Street into a quality shopping street, a successful business address and a place for people. Some disruption and inconvenience during the works is unavoidable but we will continue to work closely with Westminster City Council to try and minimise this.
More information about the Regent Street Vision can be found on The Crown Estate website here.
Elm Park Fiesta
The Elm Park Fiesta takes place on Saturday 8 June 2013. During the Fiesta the Elm Park taxi rank will be suspended but a temporary rank will be operational in Tadworth Parade.
Events
It has been very busy recently with several events across London so thank you to all of the drivers who worked and helped the public get home safely. The initial feedback is that the We Are FSTVL event in Upminster was well served by taxi drivers and drivers have once again provided a valuable service for The Chelsea Flower show.
Hornchurch
Hornchurch High Street – 24 hour taxi rank
Following several months of hard work Hornchurch High Street re-opened to traffic on Monday 20 May 2013. As part of the scheme to improve the High Street the part time taxi rank that was in Station Lane has been moved to the new bay outside Costa Coffee/Retail Therapy. The new rank will operate 24 hours a day and has been extended to three spaces. This taxi rank will be operational from Monday 20 May 2013 with the old taxi rank in Station Lane revoked at the same time.
The new rank is a working rank for plying for hire from and will be monitored, therefore drivers must not leave their taxi unattended on the rank. The old taxi rank will be used as a bus stand and taxi drivers must also not leave their taxi unattended in this space, otherwise they may be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Drivers must also not park on the pavement outside Ask restaurant.
Loading bays
As part of the High Street improvement scheme Havering Council have also agreed that two loading bays on Hornchurch High Street can be used as taxi ranks between 18:00 and 06:00. These loading bays/taxi ranks are outside the Wimpy restaurant, on the northern side of the High Street, and outside T.E.J. Domestic Appliances Limited Store, on the southern side of the High Street. These new evening ranks will increase night time provision on the High Street but taxi drivers must only use them during the authorised hours of operation.
The loading bay on the southern side of the road will be available from Monday 20 May 2013. The loading bay on the northern side of the road is expected to be available within the next two weeks.
OJ’s bar
Following the closure of Hornchurch High Street TfL, Havering Council, the local police and local drivers agreed that a temporary taxi rank to serve OJ’s bar should be appointed. This temporary rank has worked well during the road closure and the borough have now agreed to further consider providing a permanent taxi rank to serve OJ’s. Whilst they consider apermanent rank they have agreed to provide another temporary rank to serve OJ’s now that the High Street has re-opened
The location of this temporary rank will be similar to the arrangements previously in place with drivers feeding to the High Street from Billet Lane. However, with the High Street re-opened drivers will no longer be able to queue across the junction. The borough have therefore agreed to allow two taxis to wait directly outside OJ’s. The new temporary taxi rank arrangements will be as follows:
- First portion: Outside OJ’s bar where the dropped kerb is – this portion is for two taxis only and drivers must not block or obstruct buses, the junction or other vehicles.
- Second portion: Billet Lane, opposite11 Billet Lane, there will be a temporary taxi rank stop showing drivers where the head of the second portion is.
- Third portion: Also in Billet Lane, again there will be a temporary taxi rank stop showing drivers where the head of the third portion is.
- Fourth portion: between the entrance and exits of the Queen’s Theatre.
Taxi drivers must follow the directions of the local police and TfL Compliance Officers and must not over-rank or cause any obstructions. The rank will continue to be monitored and following the trial period a decision made about whether a rank can be considered on a permanent basis.
Liverpool Street marshalled taxi rank
The late night marshalled taxi rank in Liverpool Street is continuing to operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday eveningsbetween 22:00 and 02:00.
London Bridge closure
London Bridge bus station will be closedfrom 01:00 on Saturday 29 June until 05:00 on Monday 1 July 2013 to allow a tower crane to be erected. During the closure the temporary taxi rank arrangements in Tooley Street, which have been used for previous closures, will be in operation. Taxi marshals will also be present and all drivers should follow the directions of the marshals.
Unattended taxis
Unfortunately we’ve received further complaints about taxis being left unattended on the taxi ranks in Hamilton Place and Stanhope Gate. These are exceptionally busy taxi ranks and drivers must not leave their taxi unattended here. Not only does this prevent other drivers from using these taxi ranks it also damages the reputation of the taxi trade when the public and businesses see unattended taxis on ranks in busy locations.
Our Compliance Team have recently visited these ranks and reported several drivers for leaving their taxi unattended. The Compliance Team will continue to visit these ranks and any driver who leaves their taxi unattended on either of the ranks risks being reported and further action being taken.
Rest ranks for taxi drivers are available at the following locations:
· Aldwych
· Arundel Street
· Eccleston Bridge
· Great Portland Street
· Grosvenor Street
· Hyde Park Street
· Lancaster Gate
· Marylebone Road
· Mathew Parker Street
· New Bond Street (Clifford Street)
· Praed Street
· Russell Street
· Strand (St. Clement Danes)
· Lincoln Inn Fields
· Gillingham Street
· Charing Cross Road
There are also refreshment ranks at:
· Cadogan Place/Pont Street
· Embankment Place (for Northumberland Avenue)
· Grosvenor Gardens
· Hanover Square
· Kensington Road (Broadwalk)
· Kensington Park Road (Ladbroke Road)
· Lupus Street/St. George’s Square
· Russell Square
· Temple Place
· Thurloe Place
· Warwick Avenue
· Wellington Place
Plus there are taxi meter bays in Palace Street which are reported to be underused.
We know that taxi drivers would like more rest ranks and are looking at suggestions for new rest ranks. One suggestion put forward is to convert the taxi rank in Montpelier Street into a rest rank. If you have any comments on this proposal then let us know by emailingtphranksinterchange@tfl.gov.uk.
Over-ranking
Complaints have continued to be received about taxis over-ranking and queuing on the corner of Hans Road/Basil Street/near Walton Place. This is obstructing other vehicles and causing problems for local residents and businesses. If the taxi ranks serving Harrods are full then drivers must not queue in the road and should move on.
Earlham Street experimental road closure
Following the experimental closure of Earlham Street, Camden Council are now inviting comments on the closure. If you would like to comment on this then you can find contact details for Camden in the consultation leaflet here.
Piccadilly Two Way
One major project underway at the moment is part two of the Piccadilly Two Way scheme. Information about the current status of this scheme and the proposals is available online along with contact details if you would like to comment on the scheme. This can all be found here.
Events and road closures
You can find information about major public events and works in London that involve road closures and could therefore disrupt traffic on the TfL website here. Live traffic news and disruptions taking place on London's major roads can also be found on the TfL website here.
Upcoming events include:
- Friday 28 June 2013, The City of London Festival’s Children’s Paradetakes place between 12.45-13.30. Roads closed to allow the parade to take place are Gresham Street, Old Jewry, Poultry, Cheapside, Newgate Street, Warwick Lane, Ave Maria Lane and Paternoster Square. The road closures will be between 12:00 and 14:00.
- Saturday 3 August – Sunday 4 August 2013, RideLondon FreeCycle, Grand Prix, London to Surrey 100 and the London to Surrey Classic events all take place
