Brady calls on Wicklow County Council to initiate long overdue review of taxi ranks in Bray
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called on Wicklow County Council to initiate a review of the provision of taxi ranks in Bray. He claimed that there are issues around access to taxi ranks in the town, particularly the rank along the sea front which is only a designated taxi rank between 6.30pm and 8.30am.
He further argued that with the coming introduction of a new bus service in the town, this offers an opportunity to review how the role of the taxi industry in the town could be integrated into an overall plan to reduce traffic and parking congestion in the town.
Brady said:
“Bray is overdue for a review of the taxi ranks in the town, it has been quite a few years since the last was undertaken. And with the population growth and changing contours around the town, the town and the taxi industry requires another one now.
There is a particular issue with the taxi rank along the seafront in Bray. Where the rank is only reserved for the exclusive use of taxis from 6.30pm in the evening until 8.30am in the morning.
Consequently, motorists are parking there legitimately during the day, but in many cases failing to remove their cars at the designated time, where lack of enforcement from authorities, including the Gardaí is causing congestion and competition for spaces for taxis.
This is an area that serves quite a number of nighttime entertainment venues in the town, and due to unavailability of the taxi rank, taxis are forced to stop outside busy venues, blocking up the road.
This both represents an unnecessary danger to passengers, but also causes congestion in the area.
It is my belief that the rank should be designated a 24-hour taxi rank, reserved for the exclusive use of taxis.
I am calling on Wicklow County Council to initiate a review of all taxi ranks in Bray, including the potential to expand the number of ranks, and to examine if the taxi industry could be integrated into a wider strategy to reduce parking and traffic congestion in the town, alongside the roll out of the new bus service due to be launched.” ENDs
Photo: John Brady TD at the taxi rank along Bray Seafront
