Posted on the 4th August 2025 in PHTM News

DERBY CABBIES SAY THEY CAN'T PICK UP CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF SCHOOL SAFE HAVEN ZONES

Derby cabbies say new road closures near schools are making it impossible to pick up and drop off customers, particularly those with disabilities.

The drivers are calling for a change to the rules, which they claim are causing major problems for vulnerable residents.

Derby City Council has implemented over a dozen "School Safe Haven Zones" (SSHZ) in recent years to improve safety by restricting vehicle access on certain residential streets during school start and end times. The zones were created following "complaints regarding dangerous parking" and are enforced with fines.

However, taxi drivers are not included on the list of exemptions, which currently includes residents, blue badge holders, and emergency vehicles. This means that during the timed closures, which can last up to an hour, customers living within the zones must walk to or from a taxi at the edge of the closed area.

Taxi driver Lee Roach highlighted the issue, stating: "There are disabled people who can’t walk up the street. There are people who still need to get taxis in these zones. But we can’t get to them."

Another driver, Adnan Khan, echoed this concern, asking: "How do you explain to them that ‘we can’t get to you, can you walk to us’? If they are registered disabled, they can’t do that."

A spokesperson for Derby City Council confirmed there is "not a general exemption for taxis" and said the zones' primary goal is to "reduce motor vehicles and create a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for children."

The council noted that zone times and distances are "kept as short as possible" to minimise inconvenience.

 


Read another story