Firm’s 11th hour legal bid to block pedestrianisation
A TAXI firm based on Cross Church Street has brought in lawyers to try and block Kirklees Council’s pedestrianisation plan - just days before work is due to start.
As reported, council highways teams are due to begin constructing a scheme to ban cars from most of Queen Street and all of Cross Church Street.
Block paving is due to be installed to expand the King Street feel to the neighbouring two streets.
But on Wednesday it emerged that every single business on Cross Church Street had signed a joint letter opposing the move. The 25 firms missed the official deadline for consultation but said they had been hampered by coronavirus lockdown.
Now, we can we reveal that Huddersfield Taxis Limited (HTL) instructed solicitors on July 17 to formally object to the council’s Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) - the legal process of changing road rules.
Despite this, the Examiner can reveal work will begin on Monday as the council forges ahead with its revamp plan.
Huddersfield Taxis has a walk-in booking office half way down Cross Church Street and managers fear preventing its own vehicles from picking up customers outside the office will damage trade so significantly that they would have to move.
It says about 5,000 bookings a week are made as walk-ins, putting about £25,000 of trade at risk, threatening 50 drivers’ jobs.
While a taxi rank for Hackney Carriages is planned for Queen Street, there is no waiting area for private hire type taxis, which aren’t afforded the same privileges as ‘Black Cabs.’
A spokesman for the firm said they had been told they would get no special treatment and would have to move premises if they could not operate within the pedestrianised zone.
But writing to council licensing chiefs, Huddersfield Taxis’ legal team, Blacks Solicitors, say the council does not have any justification to ban vehicles. In its letter it says records show there has been only one accident on the street in the past six years, where a pedestrian was slightly injured following contact with a car.
And it reveals the council is planning to install automated bollards to prevent unauthorised access but says it’s not clear who will manage them.
They commented: “Pedestrian and cyclist safety, therefore, has no basis as a reason for making the proposed TRO in respect of Cross Church Street.
“Huddersfield Taxis Limited plays an important role in both the day time and night time town centre economy by facilitating the efficient and safe movement of persons who rely on their service...
“Booking a taxi and walking elsewhere to meet is not an option for many of HTL’s walk-in customers.
“Moreover there are no convenient alternative locations within easy walking distance where this activity could be continued, causing significant operational problems for HTL.
“It is therefore essential that vehicular access to HTL’s booking office is secured and maintained as part of any proposed TRO.”
The letter claims that banning vehicles will see many businesses relocate, which in turn will lead to the decline of the street.In a statement Kirklees Council said it was pressing ahead with the work, beginning on Monday. It said the works to make the street more appealing for people visiting the town would not initially result in any permanent changes to the road layout or pedestrianisation.
A meeting to rule on the objection will be held on August 18.
Clr Peter Mcbride, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “The start of these works is an exciting step towards improving our town centre and a key element of the Huddersfield Blueprint. Cross Church Street connects the Cultural Heart to the retail centre and as such needs to reflect the town in best possible light.
“The work beginning on site next week is the much needed replacement of tired and damaged paving and kerbing, and isn’t directly related to the changes to traffic regulations proposed for the area.
“The council is aware that despite ongoing consultation with local businesses over the last two years, there are still some concerns over the future pedestrianisationof the area and we will consider the most recent objections at the Cabinet Committee - Local Issues meeting on 18 August.
“The council remains committed to working with the local business community to make Huddersfield a welcoming and accessible town in order to support the local economy and provide opportunities for culture, leisure and retail for people who visit, live or work in the town centre.”