Drivers are angry about North East Lincolnshire Council's decision to close their rank on Victoria Street West and Town Hall Street as part of a long-term revamp of the town centre.
They claim the planned new ranks on Victoria Street South are too far from the town centre and yesterday morning, about 10 drivers launched the slow moving protest near the town hall beeping their horns before more drivers joined in, eventually bringing traffic to a standstill.
The protest came to a head when a handful of the drivers were invited into the council offices for a hastily arranged meeting, which saw the council agree to temporarily restore Town Hall Street as a taxi rank and to erect signs to point the public towards pick-up points.
Susan Barss, a taxi driver of over 30 years, said it was "bad enough trying to making a living as it is".
Fellow driver Colin Wilson claimed the driver at the front of the rank on Town Hall Street yesterday had been sat there for two hours without a fare.
"Nobody is going to be able to earn money and I can see the town centre grinding to a halt," he said.
"The taxi ranks are constantly full and nobody can move.
"It's going to have a drastic effect on us drivers, even if we do get fares the roadworks make it so difficult to get in and out of town.
"It's a total waste of money what is happening here."
One driver claimed the council had taken away some 20 taxi spaces in recent weeks. Councillor Andrew De Freitas (Lib – Park Ward), who watched some of the protest from the Town Hall steps, said he had sympathy for the drivers.
"The issue really needs to be dealt with immediately," he said.
"You can't have these people struggling to make a living.
"I have a lot of sympathy for these guys."
Marcus Asquith, head of highways at NELC, said: "The relocation of taxi ranks is part of the major Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) developments taking place across Grimsby town centre.
"From the start of this project we have worked closely with all stakeholders to communicate the changes and wherever possible address the concerns they raise.
"The problems which led to today's protest by the taxi drivers occurred as a new phase of the LSTF project started. Following a meeting on site, the problems have now been addressed and we have made a commitment to work closely with them to continue to keep them informed of our intentions.
"As with any project of this size, there are bound to be times of change and inconvenience and we will try to minimise disruption wherever we can.
"We will continue to work with the taxi drivers and businesses in the town centre to keep them informed of progress. And I would like to thank them, and the public, for their patience during these essential improvement works."
Mrs Barss said the drivers had agreed to set up a new organisation which will have regular meetings for drivers to discuss concerns.
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Maidstone taxi driver Ahbabur Rahman 'deliberately reversed at three passengers', court told
A taxi driver injured three passengers when he deliberately reversed at them during a row in the early hours, a court heard.
After Ahbabur Rahman struck friends Remmi Sexton, Grace Dilley and Joe Glenister, he ignored screams and drove off in the black cab, it was alleged.
The trio had been out drinking in Maidstone town centre and asked the 47-year-old cabbie to take them to Vinters Park at about 4.30am on September 29 last year.
On the way, Miss Sexton and Mr Glenister had a heated argument and there was then disagreement over the fare, Maidstone Crown Court was told.
Prosecutor Ian Foinette said because of the argument Miss Sexton asked Rahman to stop in Bedgebury Close and let her out. He did so and Mr Glenister followed her.
The others also got out and £10 was handed to the driver for the £7 fare.
"It seems there was some sort of argument going on with the driver," said Mr Foinette.
"There was shouting. At one stage, the taxi driver and Grace Dilley were more or less face to face.
"He got back in. Those behind saw the reversing lights come on the taxi. He then reversed back at speed some 12-15ft and hit the three.
"They were all knocked over. Remmi Sexton hit her head on the ground. After hitting them the defendant moved forward and just drove off fast away from the scene.
"One person described the engine not only revving but also the tyres squealing."
Mr Foinette told the jury of eight women and four men: "It must have been blindingly obvious to the defendant he had reversed into them and hit them.
"Screaming around the back of the taxi must have told him something had happened.
"One person described the engine not only revving but also the tyres squealing..." - prosecutor Ian Foinette
"The Crown say this was a deliberate act by him, annoyed perhaps by what was going on in the back of the taxi and afterwards.
"In a fit of pique he decided he was going to show them he was the boss."
An ambulance was called and injuries were treated in hospital.
Rahman, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, denies two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, one of assault by beating and dangerous driving.
He claims he did not get out of the cab and did not reverse it.
The trial continues.
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