Taxi marshal axe short-sighted, driver warns
BBCA taxi driver has said a council's decision to end a marshal scheme is "short-sighted" as it could impact people's safety.
Operating on Darlington's Grange Road, it was introduced in 2021 to manage queues, support vulnerable people and help keep town centre visitors safe.
Last weekend saw the two marshals work their final shift and driver Gavin Ellis praised them for splitting "at least three potential fights up".
Darlington Borough Council has said other safety measures "remain in place" including qualified door staff and police patrols.
Ellis described the marshals as a "Godsend to the taxi trade, helping us with unscrupulous customers, stopping queue jumping and breaking up fights".
"Last year, one of them actually saved a man's life and this is how they're rewarded," he said.
'Victim of violence'
The scheme was established in response to a post-Covid shortage of taxis and an increase in demand as people returned to pubs, bars and restaurants following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
That imbalance led to long queues at taxi ranks, increasing the risk of disorder, queue jumping and some taking the risk of seeking lifts from unlicensed drivers or strangers.
Ellis told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Ironically, on their last night, they split at least three potential fights up.
"I also had a customer who told me he had been a victim of violence on that rank, ending up in A&E because someone decided to headbutt him because he didn't realise he was standing in the wrong place.
"I sincerely hope somebody's son or daughter does not become a victim of this short-sighted decision."
Speaking in February, Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said there was "less demand at taxi ranks, alongside reduced funding".
Following the scheme's closure, a council spokesperson said: "Safety measures remain in place, including qualified door staff, police patrols and the help button at the junction of Skinnergate and Houndgate which links to our CCTV control room."