Ranks could swell

More taxi ranks could be provided in Newark and Sherwood, particularly at night.

The district council is looking at taxi provision and it is believed evening ranks could benefit pub and club users and possibly help to cut crime.

In a report to the general purposes committee, the strategic director of corporate services, Mrs Kirsty Cole, said, due to changes such as traffic schemes, it was a good time to look at taxi ranks not just in Newark.

She said: “It seems probable that there may be no demand for full-time ranks in other parts of the district but rather evening ranks which will aid in the dispersal of people using the district’s licensed premises late at night.

“This will also assist in the reduction of crime and disorder in the relevant areas both by making it easier to get home and reducing the need for those who wish to drink alcohol to take their own car.”

The committee agreed to talk to the police, highways authority, land owners and the taxi trade about the ranks and the times they operate.

There are seven ranks in the district. There are 24-hour ranks at Middlegate, Northgate Station, Lincoln Street and the bus station in Newark and at Sherwood Drive, Ollerton.

Other Newark ranks are at Kirkgate, operating 8am-6pm, and Castlegate, 11pm-3am. There is no rank in Southwell.

“The only rank established outside Newark itself is in Ollerton which seems to be well used,” Mrs Cole said.

She pointed out that Newark would be losing one of its busiest ranks, at least temporarily, when the Potterdyke development began.

“The existing ranks by the bus station will have to be revoked and replaced when development is completed. This will not form part of the proposed consultation but consideration will have to be given to the replacement rank,” Mrs Cole said.

Possible sites for additional ranks are included in the report.

There could be another rank on Castlegate, from 9pm-3.30am, a rank in Southwell, from 9pm-1am, on either King Street or Church Street, and another 24-hour rank in Ollerton either near the Plough Inn or Tesco supermarket.