Illegal parking a massive problem - bike group

Illegal parking near a taxi rank in Worcester is a "massive problem", a campaign group has claimed.

Bike Worcester said it recorded 300 offences in 24 hours using a time-lapse camera in Foregate Street last October.

Parking there and by The Cross causes problems, spokesperson Dan Brothwell said, because cars overtaking "cross the solid white line into the bike/bus lane, meaning cars drive head-on at people cycling – many of these are also taxis".

Richard Udall, chair of Worcester City Council's licensing committee, said the authority had issued "hundreds" of fixed penalties and accused Bike Worcester of becoming an "anti-taxi campaign".

Mr Brothwell said: "This is a massive problem – and we don't have a vendetta against taxis or cars."

"Our time lapse video recorded over 300 parking offences and incidents of over-ranking in 24 hours. People turn a blind eye to it.

"I feel for Worcester's taxi drivers – they're being swamped by drivers from Wychavon and Wolverhampton."

Mr Udall said the council could only enforce "at times when we are present" and repeated offenders would lose their licences.

"Taxis are allowed to load and unload engers on yellow lines, this may for some of the issues they are complaining about.

A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that 10 Worcester taxi drivers have had their licences revoked in the past three years.

However, Udall said taxi drivers were becoming increasingly concerned about attacks upon them by Bike Worcester, saying they felt they were "unfair and unjustified".

"The vast majority are law abiding professionals, providing a quality public service.

"They feel the constant attacks from Bike Worcester are beginning to look like an anti-taxi or an anti-car campaign."

The council would continue to take action against any offending taxi drivers and work with drivers to reduce any problems, he added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.