Noise nuisance no more as taxi firms lose their licenses (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Noise nuisance no more as taxi firms lose their licenses

9:38am Friday 17th June 2005 in News By Hannah Farquharson

SLEEPLESS nights could soon be a thing of the past for residents hounded by noisy taxis after Richmond upon Thames Council said they are unlikely to renew the firms' licences.

Aaron House in Bardolph Road, Richmond, was, at its peak, home to 11 mini cab firms who, as reported in the Richmond and Twickenham Times in February, were causing noise and parking problems for neighbours.

Following the withdrawal of one application for renewal on June 2 after the company decided to leave the premises a council spokesman said: "We are currently not likely to be renewing temporary planning consent for these companies when the permissions expire. The council is aware of the problems caused by so many minicab companies operating at this site."

The statement comes as residents lodge their objections to two renewal applications currently being considered by the council.

"We are also investigating what action can be taken to ease the traffic problems for residents in the area," added the spokesman.

The news was welcomed by Sheila Bowen of Trinity Cottages, Richmond, who has been campaigning for action to be taken.

"We are absolutely delighted that something is being done that makes our life a lot easier," she said. "But we are still concerned about the lack of access for emergency vehicles and hope they are going to do something about people blocking it."

Cllr Philip Taylor of the north Richmond ward, was also pleased. In a letter to the paper he said: "It was felt that these types of business were inappropriate in this location. The area is a quiet series of cul-de-sacs. After a campaign a number of house owners in the Trinity Cottages area have succeeded in calling time on the cab businesses which had flouted the planning permission conditions for their minicab licences."