Taxi rank bid stalls amid funding shortfall

Taxi drivers in Coventry petitioned for a new taxi rank in the city centre

A campaign to create a new taxi rank in Coventry city centre has been derailed by lack of funds and an ongoing regeneration scheme.

Council officers insisted they would continue to work with representatives of the city's Taxi Forum, who were behind a 1,648-name petition.

The campaign called for a new rank in The Burges and Cross Cheaping as an alternative to the current arrangement, which sees taxis park up on Palmer Lane.

A report drawn up ahead of a council meeting on Wednesday said that it followed a previous petition on the same subject, which prompted a site meeting in April 2024 when the road layout was discussed.

The report said the preliminary design had been costed at about £30,000, but this did not allow for costs associated with utilities or for reinforcement or changes to the drainage, meaning the total budget would be significantly more.

The report went on: "Currently, the proposal is unfunded and as such not in a position to proceed. It is therefore proposed to retain the proposed design and to await funding opportunities which may enable it to come forward at a point in the future.

"It is also noted that works on the adjacent Palmer Lane regeneration scheme are nearing completion and that changes to parking restrictions on The Burges/Cross Cheaping have recently been implemented as part of the ongoing City Centre Traffic Management Plan.

"These schemes have the potential to impact how traffic and pedestrians use this area and there is clearly benefit in allowing these schemes to be completed, so that their impact can be fully understood before bringing forward further changes to this area."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.