PSNI and 120 residents object to new taxi office on busy Derry road

The PSNI and 120 local residents have lodged objections against a proposed new taxi office in the city, has been revealed.

Skeoge Taxis wants to open an office at a row of shops on the Greenhaw Road (pictured).

However, a number of residents are opposed to the new office, claiming that it will lead to increased noise and have a serious impact on the quality of life in the area.

Their objections have been supported by Inspector Johnny Hunter from the PSNI who has written to the planning department of Derry City and Strabane District Council to say that he is also against the opening of the new office.

The proposed taxi office would be located in an empty unit in the busy of shops.

After concerns were raised about the plans, the applicant contacted the planning department of Derry City and Strabane District Council about the proposed opening hours.

They said the office would be open to the public from 7.00am to 10.00pm, seven days a week.

However, the owners said there would be no public access to the office after 10.00pm each evening, even though the office would be staffed 24 hours a day.

The applicant said the business would consist of 15 drivers; eight working on the day shift and seven on the night shift.

They said the office would not be used as a taxi rank and that any drivers working for the company would ‘wait around town’ for their next fare.

However, the proposal has provoked objections from local residents.

Around 120 people living in surrounding streets such as Greenhaw Road, Danesfort Crescent and Hampstead Park have sent letters of objection to the local council’s planning department.

In his letter of objection, Inspector Hunter, who is a neighbourhood police officer on Derry’s cityside area, said the proposed location of the taxi office was surrounded by residential housing and that many of the local residents were elderly.

“The Greenhaw Road in recent years has been subject to traffic calming features to slow down local and through vehicular traffic and has a zebra crossing to facilitate pedestrians from the Hampstead Park and Belmont Estate area to avail of local amenities.

“My concerns are: noise pollution from vehicles and patrons using the proposed facility; environmental impactors, namely littering, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage to property; increase of vehicular traffic on this already busy through fare.

“This area is already serviced by three local taxi companies, Culmore, Collon and Galliagh Taxis who all have ranks in close proximity of the proposed site.

“Also from a policing point this would, if it goes ahead, impact on police, taking much needed resources away from other local community duties,” concludes Inpsector Hunter’s letter.

The application for planning permission for the taxi office remains in the planning system.

The final decision on the matter will rest with the elected members of Derry City and Strabane District Council.