Stockport taxi drivers demand barrier at station to stop 'daily abuse'

Taxi drivers have called for barriers to be put up at a rank by a town's train station to protect them from "daily abuse" given out by other drivers trying to park there.

Stockport Taxi Association said its members "don't feel safe" waiting in the designated area road outside the station after incidents where they were injured and their vehicles damaged.

Asim Javed, a local taxi driver, said the problem was often caused by "very dangerous" non-taxis trying to find an easy place to pick up friends or family by the station entrance.

Stockport counillor Grace Baynham said enforcement had been stepped up in the area as a a result of the group's concerns.

"Every second day we get a crime reference number from the police, damage to our cars, and injuries," Tauqir Chaudhry, chairman of the association, said.

"People regularly park their vehicles on the taxi rank [on Station Road], the bus stops, and places where they aren't allowed," he added.

Mr Javed taxi drivers said he would be happy if barriers are installed on the road and also on the pavement so customers can queue in a single line.

"Sometimes we're about to move off and people are trying to get in and park next to us on the taxi rank," he explained. "It's very dangerous, we just want the trouble to stop."

Waseem Saeed, a taxi driver of 14 years in Stockport, added: "Every driver here has been involved in some incident with other drivers, it happens every day.

"I've had it a few times myself. There has been physical fighting. If they put a camera here people would get tickets and it would stop."

Stockport council said it is reviewing suggestions from the association over safety measures for taxi drivers on the road.