Addition of taxi ranks for centre of Ashbourne welcomed by cllrs
Ashbourne could soon have its own taxi rank – something residents of Meath's second largest town have been seeking for years.
Meath Co Council has started the process of providing taxi ranks in the town and is to present a number of options to councillors at the next Municipal District meeting.
Cllr Joe Bonner points out that the facility is very badly needed and there is no official taxi rank in the town.
“This is a very positive development. We should be able to provide ranks without too much work or disruption.
“We will be looking at providing them in the best possible places for them and we will be relocating some disabled parking to more suitable locations.”
Cllr Bonner explained that in some cases they would be able to share day time loading bays with night time taxi ranks.
“We are looking provide them in Frederick Street, in the new streets – in central areas.
“I also want the supermarket to provide ranks in their car parks because they are needed there. It could be done cheaply and it would provide more order and structure.
Cllr Alan Tobin said it was something that had been needed in Ashbourne for a long, long time.
“You need to have full access to public transport – to be able to get off a bus and get a taxi, or get a taxi to the bus.
“The taxi spaces will be part of an integrated public transport scheme meaning buses, cycle park areas and taxis are located together to make public transport practical and easy to use.
“We don't have a paid parking regime in Ashbourne so Frederick Street is often full up with parked cars from 7am with commuters leaving their cars there, so giving up parking spaces to the taxi rank won't be a loss to local businesses but will have a positive effect.
“We will be talking to local businesses, the publicans and local taxi drivers.
“There will be a public consultation so that we can make sure people get what they want.
“We will be putting it on public display to create a debate around it,” he said.