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Taxi drivers threaten strike over rank row
A group of Preston cabbies are threatening strike action in a row over penalty points.
Scores of the city's hackney cab drivers claim they are the victims of an "over zealous" approach from town hall enforcement officers.
Drivers say they are being hit with five penalty points by officers every time they are spotted parking up away from a recognised taxi rank.
Under the council's penalty points scheme drivers are given points for different infringements, including defects on their cabs.
If a driver hits 20 points they are brought to the town hall for a hearing.
But the drivers claim there are not enough ranks in the city to cater for Hackney cabs, meaning some have to park elsewhere.
And they say with schools being out for summer, drivers who usually have school contracts are joining the fight for rank space.
But council bosses say they have stepped up their enforcement because of complaints from the public.
Up to 50 drivers met on the car park at Preston North End's Deepdale ground to decide what action to take.
They also want a full-time night time enforcement officer because they claim some private hire vehicles are parking up and "cherry picking" customers outside takeaways.
Their concerns are now set to be fed back to council bosses.
James Fraser, 45, one of the drivers who organised the meeting, said: "You would think they would be a bit more lenient with it being the summer holidays.
"I don't mind getting five points for a bald tyre, but we have got to park somewhere. What do they want us to do, just drive round? What about the carbon footprint?
"There could be the possibility of strike action among the drivers if they don't get what they are asking for."
A spokesman for Preston Council said: "We have received complaints about taxi drivers parking on double yellow lines and pavements when ranks are full.
"As such, we have stepped up our enforcement efforts and would remind taxi drivers that if ranks are full, then they should move on to another available rank.
"Any driver caught breaking these rules could receive five penalty points, although drivers can appeal against this if they feel they have been treated harshly."
>> Concerns over plan for a new taxi rank
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 22 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 12 C
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Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
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