The transcript from our recent interview with Richard Eyre (the Council's City Centre Services Manager) has now been posted. You can read the interview by going to the 'Local Interviews' forum or clicking this direct link: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11897

You can reply to this post with your thoughts and comments on the interview. Apologies for the delay in getting this one online.

What a great interview - well done! :thumbsup:



Question... when is a speed limit not a speed limit?
Answer... when the sign is erected by SCC.
:roll:

Q. Can the SCC do anything to curb the buses that speed through the 10mph area, maybe by installing speed cameras? It's feels like taking your life in your hands sometimes at the top of Fargate and now High Street.

A.High Street, Leopold Street, Pinstone Street - are currently subject to a 30mph speed limit. The Government has laid down strict criteria for the deployment of Safety (Speed) Cameras, primarily based on the accident record of an area and the numbers of drivers exceeding the speed limit (30mph). These roads would fall a long way short of meeting both criteria.

The 10mph limit which is signed at the top of Fargate is advisory rather than regulatory, however there remains an obligation on the part of all motorists to drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions - in this case an extremely busy, pedestrian dominated environment.

Buses and taxis form the bulk of the traffic on these roads. My personal experience is that 'safety' has improved a great deal in recent years (something borne out in the accident records for the area) through a combination of changes to the road layout and better driver behaviour, with most now driving at sensible speeds. Nevertheless I will contact both the bus operators (via the PTE) and the Sheffield Taxi Trade Association and ask them to reiterate to their drivers the need to drive with consideration for other road users.


Question... why can't the Council stop licenced taxi drivers ignoring the Highway Code?

Answer... because they can't see what everyone else see's all around Sheffield unless it's reported by a professional organisation or backed up by corroborated evidence from more than one person.

Maybe he could jot down the numbers of the taxi's doing u-turns right outside their office door at Yorkshire House on Leopold Street?
:roll:

Q. Taxi's (mainly black cabs) seem to be a law unto themselves. Is the Council prepared to start supporting the Highway Code and withhold or remove drivers' licences who are found to ignore the rules of the road? Perhaps the Council can start a scheme whereby members of the public can report miscreant drivers' numbers, time and date to the Council Taxi Licensing Board?

A. The Council fully supports the Highway Code and all Licensed Drivers have to undertake and pass a Comprehensive Driving Test before a licence is issued. If a driver has incurred several motoring convictions over a short period of time or been convicted of any single serious motoring offence e.g. drive without due care and attention. The Councils Policy is to immediately refer the driver to the City Councils Licensing Board who have the power to determine the future of the drivers licence.

In addition all complaints from members of the public are investigated, however complaints regarding driving standards would need to be supported by substantial evidence from a professional body, or corroborated evidence from more than one person, before any action would be taken. I hope this clarifies the Councils position.

[B]Businesses in Meadowhall pay for the free parking via their space rental agreements with the property owner, (I feel sure the property developer has found a way of recouping the costs of building, maintaining and providing security for the car parks)
Hmm.. and there was me thinking that those shops in the city centre paid business rates and the people of Sheffield paid Council Tax :huh:

Ha ha, I thought he would never get round to replying to the interview:D

Now you all see what I have to put up with when I want a question answering;) :P

having met richard eyre a few times, i actually think hes one of the few people in the town hall with his finger on the pulse.

here here !

The City Cente Team under Mick Crofts is pretty good on the whole, but it's interesting to see the council mindset in writing.

That organisation has well and truly lost the plot.

I still don't see why it would be a problem to stop taxi's doing u-turns and speeding along Leopold St. without substantial evidence from a professional body, or corroborated evidence from more than one person.

Originally posted by Tony
I still don't see why it would be a problem to stop taxi's doing u-turns and speeding along Leopold St. without .

As a matter of interest how would you stop them doing u-turns, etc.?

The City Cente Team under Mick Crofts is pretty good on the whole, but it's interesting to see the council mindset in writing.
That organisation has well and truly lost the plot.

Spot on, many of the departments work well within themselves but when you have to go further into the councils ranks it all falls apart and then you get loads of miscommunication with regards to legalities etc.

As a matter of interest how would you stop them doing u-turns, etc.?

what about a barrier all the way alon Leopold street where the only gaps are crossin points. Then if they try to go over a crossing point action would have to be taken by the police, with the aid of the CCTV an operation could be set up for a few days.

Originally posted by max
As a matter of interest how would you stop them doing u-turns, etc.?
How about a bit of simple enforcement and removal of drivers taxi licenses?

There is apparently a long list of people wanting black cab licenses, so it will make a bit of room.

I've nearly been knocked down a couple of times at the top of Fargate as they come down from the City Hall and do a u-turn outside Virgin. Everyone else has to obey the rules of the road, they can't even take notice of the 'no u-turn' sign.

How to do it? Well how about setting up a video camera up in the window of their office at Yorkshire House, and leave it going for an hour. Mind you, in an hour half of Sheffields taxi's might be off the road as a result.

Duffman... that's your office!! How about it?

Originally posted by duffman

what about a barrier all the way alon Leopolsd street where the only gaps are crossin points. Then if they try to go over a crossing point action would have to be taken by the police.

That's where it all breaks down, imo. You would need a permanent patrol to ensure compliance and then the patrol would be removed. Once gone, the bad habits return. As to civilians being able to report miscreants I think this would be too open to abuse from people with a grudge against specific drivers/taxi firms.

I don't know what the solution is, but if anyone can come up with a workable way to police this type of behaviour then I'm sure they'd be welcome with open arms in cities around the world.

I'll ask but who knows how long i'll wait for an answer:D To be honest I think it will take more than just a camera for it to stand up in court. You would probably need the co-operation with the police and CCTV with a guideline to what you are acheving and not just filming the taxis as i'm sure some solicitor would come up with something thats ilegal about it.

Check my post Max... just enforce the rules and remove licences! It's not difficult.

Duffman, I can't think of a reason why video evidence wouldn't work. The Police use it all the time, and the Council is the licensing authority.

The video will show a big black cab permorming an illegal manoeuvre. Each cab has a big visible number, a registration, and a single driver that is entitled to drive it.

Therefore, it can only be a single driver... unless of course someone else who isn't licensed is working the cab for them eh ;)

Once that bit of road is sorted you lads can move onto Ecclesall Road - now that place IS dangerous.

Originally posted by Tony
it can only be a single driver... unless of course someone else who isn't licensed is working the cab for them eh ;)

Once that bit of road is sorted you lads can move onto Ecclesall Road - now that place IS dangerous.

Ecclesall road?! Ha, we stuggle with the numbers just to cover the inner ring road, the most we can go is Hanover/St Marys gate roundabout.

I wonder how many drivers are borrowing are cabs off their mates to make a bit of cash if it's possible?

Originally posted by Tony
Check my post Max... just enforce the rules and remove licences! It's not difficult.........

Once that bit of road is sorted you lads can move onto Ecclesall Road - now that place IS dangerous.

That's the problem. Once you move on then the evildoers will just revert to their usual behaviour. No-one is going to pay for constant surveillance and in order for cctv to work you will need to store any tape for several days on the off chance someone will report a taxi driver doing a u-turn.

It seems like a large hammer to crack a small problem. If that's what you want your council tax to be spent on rather than speed bumps in Fulwood or libraries in Eccelsall then petition your new councillors.:D

Originally posted by duffman
I wonder how many drivers are borrowing are cabs off their mates to make a bit of cash if it's possible? Loads. Which of course makes them technically uninsured.

Max, I'm not talking about huge resources, I'm talking about putting a home video camera on a tripod in a council office window, leaving it running on its own, then going over the tape noting down the evidence and getting the licensing section to earn their living.

Max, I myself (or Duffman) could do it in an afternoon, it's hardly a waste of resources. It's the sort of really simple idea that the Council as a body seems devoid of. (Why make it easy when you can employ 5 departments and have to apply to central government for funding eh?)

The upside is vastly improved road safety.

They won't be able to revert to their wrongdoings because they won't have a cab licence or they will be under a warning with 3 points and a fixed fine.

It is possible to report someone to the Police for any driving offence but there must be two 'independent' witnesses, ie you and someone else you don't know.

Great interview. It made for interesting reading! There are a number of issues that the Council is "dodgy" on in the Town Centre. I think tourist information is perhaps the worst.

Why did they shut down the Tourist info shop at Tudor Square?!? We dont even have one in Sheffield now. This is a joke compared to places like Leeds and Manchester. Unless the attitude (perhaps political party) changes at the Town Hall then we will continue to lag behind even though Sheffield has so much to offer and HUGE potential to transform itself into a vibrant City of European significance in the next 10 years! :loopy: