Southampton taxi fears

Cruise passengers arriving in Southampton may find themselves stranded at the docks unless a dispute between rival taxi firms can be halted. Taxi trade leaders claim the situation is a ‘tinder box’ and are seeking emergency talks with the port owners. The fear is that a blockade or boycott could bring chaos to the docks. The row relates to proposals to allow private hire cabs to pick up passengers disembarking at Southampton. Currently, only hackney carriages operate at the city's three cruise terminals but Port owner Associated British Ports (ABP) wants to allow in more taxis because of the boom in superliners, which can carry up to 4,000 passengers. ABP is considering a number of solutions, including a proposal from the owner of a private hire firm to allow all Southampton's cabs open access to the terminals. The scheme, dubbed Combined Taxis of Southampton, is the brainchild of West Quay Cars boss Lee Haynes, who has set out his plan in a letter posted to more than 1,000 drivers. Mr Haynes said the operation would be run totally independently and that he was simply trying to improve the service received by tourists arriving in Southampton. Taxi trade representatives are angry at a lack of consultation and say they have been ‘left in the dark’ by ABP.