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Drivers' fury over 'unmarked' taxi bay

by Allan Ramsay

Westminster Council has been accused of fleecing motorists by failing to show clearly that four parking bays in Victoria are reserved for taxis only.

Up to 20 drivers a day are being caught out by the meters in Palace Street, between Victoria Street and Buckingham Palace Road, because the restriction is mentioned only in a small notice on the meters' dis-play screens. A large "Taxis Only" sign was obliterated last October when the the tarmac on the bays was dug up, and has not yet been replaced.

Those who make the mistake of not spotting the innocuous notices face a £40 fine - or their car being towed away. Among the motorists who have fallen victim include actor Tom Conti.

Maggie Gligic, 60, who runs training business SMG consultants overlooking the four bays, said she was often forced to dash out to warn motorists of the trap they have just fallen into.

"We must save 15 to 20 a day. Last Friday it was just non-stop," she said.

"We had the actor Tom Conti in his Bentley last week. I didn't get to him before he put his money in but I shouted to him down the street. He was furious because he had already paid but he thanked me." Mrs Gligic said she had phoned Westminster council's parking department three times, but the reply was: "It's not our problem." She added: "For them, there's no point in repainting it because they are making money out of it. I should go and get a tin of paint and spray it myself."

IT consultant Bruno Genetay, 34, returned to his bay an hour after parking to find he had been ticketed. "When I parked the car, I thought it was OK. I will dispute it. They should have a much larger sign - it's an injustice," he said.

Westminster council transport committee vice-chairman Tim Mitchell said the problem was due to telecom company GTS, which dug up Palace Street late last year. "They have not yet signed off the work with us and so the job is not officially finished and the road markings have not yet been reinstated, which is their responsibility," he said.

Apologising for the lack of action on Mrs Gligic's complaints, he said the council would be issuing a notice to GTS giving it seven days from now to replace the "Taxis Only" sign on the road.