PLANS for two new taxi ranks in Holmfirth were approved despite opposition from ward councillors.
Kirklees Council wanted two new taxi ranks in the town – one at Victoria Square and another on Victoria Street.
They would operate seven days a week from 8pm to 2am.
But the plan was opposed by the three ward councillors, one of whom said he would now refer every taxi complaint from constituents to Licensing to deal with.
The council’s Licensing and Safety Committee decided the taxi ranks should be a temporary solution to the problems in Holmfirth until the bus station had been redesigned to include taxi provision.
Clr Nigel Patrick (Holme Valley South, Conservative) spoke about the problems of taxis parking throughout the town and said: “I think making unlawful parking lawful is just the wrong way to go about it.”
He said the make-up of Holmfirth in a valley meant residents lived in the town centre.
“They are going to have noise problems seven days,” Clr Patrick said.
Amjad Nadeem, Kirklees Hackney Carriage Association secretary, admitted taxis parked in places other than the town’s one approved taxi space due to demand.
He said: “Taxi drivers would not go to Holmfirth if there were not passengers needing taxis, the demand is there. Sometimes the taxi rank is occupied by a private vehicle, so taxi drivers cannot go there.”
Councillors voted to approve the Holmfirth plans seven votes to two.
The committee unanimously backed plans for a night-time taxi rank at John William Street, Huddersfield from 11pm to 4am – after the last bus has left the bus stop between the junction of Church Street and St Peter’s Street.
