Bradford taxi drivers hit out over city centre disruption

One driver criticised the road closures and pedestrianisation, blaming the council for his loss of earnings, while the Bradford Hackney Carriage Association has written to Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe to plead its case.

While the council says it has consulted with the taxi trade over the changes, drivers claim this has not happened.

One driver also raised concern over a lack of signs to direct passengers to taxi stands, though Bradford Council says extra wayfinding signage in the city centre has recently been introduced - which includes directing people to the nearest existing and new taxi ranks. 

Taxis awaiting their next fare in the city centre on Thursday (Image: T&A)

Driver Shabir Munir said the permanent closure of the lower section of Bridge Street to Sunbridge Road was adding to customers’ fares.

“We have had zero involvement in City of Culture grants or monies, even though taxi drivers are the first point of contact with the public and visitors,” he claimed.

Labour councillor Mohamed Amran, said a number of hackney carriage drivers live in Heaton, the ward he represents.

“I’ve had a number of taxi drivers saying that they are making losses because of the town centre development.

“I then put a full question to the council and also spoke on it - because obviously it’s concerning when taxi drivers are making losses. 

“They have got family - kids, household bills to pay. I was assured by the leadership that they are talking to taxi drivers. It’s OK talking to them, but have they got any compensation? The cost of living has gone up.”

Taxi drivers have seen a lot of changes in recent months (Image: T&A)

“We need to talk to the trade,” he added. “We need to understand where their passengers come from and where it would be easier for passengers to get a taxi.

“I always advocate that it’s OK politicians making decisions, but we’re not on the ground – we’re not taxi drivers. We need to consult with taxi drivers because they understand more about the service. Some taxi drivers have been there for 30 years. So they understand the town centre better than any of us.

Cllr Amran was told there had been a consultation between the taxi drivers and the council, but the taxi drivers said this had not happened.

He shared with the Telegraph & Argus an email from the Bradford Hackney Carriage Association sent to Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe in June. The email appeals to the council for financial support.

“We have lost over 50 per cent of trade on daily average. All of our ranks closed or moved to places where no one comes because they are too far from the shopping area. 

It asks the council “to help us financially to survive this difficult time until city centre work is completed.”

In response to the concerns raised, Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw told the Telegraph & Argus: “Representatives from the taxi association were involved during the consultation processes as part of the development of the scheme’s proposals, and trade representatives have met with officers to discuss the work, including seeking input on the location of new ranks to minimise disruption to the taxi services and ensuring that temporary ranks are sited as close to the original ranks as possible.

Signs in Centenary Square directing taxi passengers to the new ranks (Image: T&A)

“Drivers have reported they are satisfied with the new rank on Sunbridge Road and have requested that it becomes permanent.

“Further positive steps have been taken to provide a new rank on Kirkgate, close to the entrance to the Broadway Shopping Centre. We will continue to proactively seek ways to improve arrangements for taxi drivers as the city centre works near completion.

“In addition, the taxi licensing team is working with the City of Culture Team on events that will be held throughout 2025 and how taxis can assist with their transportation needs, which will provide a welcome boost for the trade.

“Working with construction partner Balfour Beatty, extra wayfinding signage in the city centre has recently been introduced, which includes directing people to the nearest existing and new taxi ranks. 

“Removing through-traffic makes the heart of the city centre safer and less noisy and polluted, while making improvements for walking and cycling mean that it is still easy for people to get around.”

He added: “On pedestrianised streets, people with mobility issues will no longer need to navigate through busy roads, contending with traffic and having to go via dropped kerbs and specific crossing points, they will be able to take a more direct route to get where they want to go. Introducing more benches and raised planters into the city centre will also provide more places that previously for people to spend time and take a rest should they need to."