Local outrage provokes new taxi parking trial at Watford Junction Station

A trial is being launched that will see taxis parking in the main Watford Junction car park, following a series of letters to My Watford News. In last month’s Watford magazine we aired the views of a frustrated local woman who had grown tired of “illegal taxi activities” by Watford Junction Station. Helen Marsden, who works in Iveco House by Watford Junction, is faced with a daily battle when driving to and from work since the area around the station was redesigned. She has found taxis parked on the pavement and even queuing down the tunnel leading to the station car park. It turns out that Helen is not alone. The magazine has since been inundated with letters from locals struggling with the new layout. Mayor Dorothy Thornhill has responded to people’s concerns and has persuaded London Midland to allow taxis to park in the main car park. Mayor Thornhill said: “This is indeed a nightmare and I agree with all you say. “Sadly this was not a council scheme and we had no final say in the matter as it was all done on London Midlands’ private land. My councillors (especially Cllr Stephen Giles Medhurst) were very vocal about the shortcomings of the scheme when it was still at the paper stage but to no avail. “I have lobbied the relevant minister and he does not hold LM in high regard either! “The taxi provision is the key issue and they charge the drivers several hundred pounds each for the privilege of parking where they do. “I am going to have another go about this. We have asked for car parking in the main car park which would help.” Watford Borough Council have confirmed that the parking trial will take place in mid-January as London Midland wanted it to begin after the busy Christmas period.