Zero tolerance on cabs parking illegally

A ZERO-tolerance stance will be taken against private-hire drivers parking illegally in Lees.

Oldham Council is cracking down on the disruption and danger caused by illegally parked cabs in High Street, Lees.

The Oldham Chronicle revealed last week that residents and councillors had raised concerns about cabs blocking the street at night while waiting for customers.

Private-hire vehicles must be booked in advance and are not allowed to be flagged down or form a rank.

Oldham Council’s licensing officers will now be paying frequent visits to this busy village road.

A council spokesman said vehicles had been observed parking outside takeaways – including taxis and private-hire vehicles waiting for trade —and sitting on double yellow lines.

He said not only was this illegal parking but also caused a potentially major road hazard on dangerous bends and at bus stops which endangered other road users and pedestrians.

Councillor Val Sedgwick, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “I have been out with licensing officers to witness this irresponsible parking which is becoming a major local concern. We do not want to prevent people from going about their everyday business but it seems to be only a matter of time now before an accident happens where a dangerously parked vehicle is in collision with a moving vehicle.”