Wheelchair user 'turned away' by FIVE taxi drivers at Brighton railway station

It is not known why the unnamed wheelchair user was turned away and the cab drivers have not been identified.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it has requested station CCTV footage from the incident two weeks ago in a bid to find the drivers, who were not from any of the city’s well-known firms.

But taxi company bosses have since criticised both Southern and Brighton and Hove City Council for the current taxi-rank set-up inside and outside the station – despite a £5.5 million revamp.

John Streeter, of Streamline Taxis, said drivers were forced to pick up wheelchair users in Surrey Street because a piece of problematic kerb outside the Ibis hotel.

He said: “I heard about what happened with the wheelchair user and the five private cabs and let me tell you, if they were our drivers they would have been kicked out straight away.

“It’s a nightmare up there at the moment. That piece of kerb needs sorting out and inside the station.

“Southern did not consult any taxi firms in the city about disability access after its revamp this year.

“They gave no attention to the disabled community. We also wanted railings at the rank to stop people walking in front of cars but it never happened.”

A spokesman from Southern said cab firms were not consulted over its Brighton station revamp because the redevelopment work did not include the taxi rank – and it had not been asked by the council for CCTV.

Councillor Stephanie Powell, councillor champion for disabilities, said she is meeting with Southern bosses next week.

She said: “I was deeply disturbed to hear about an incident involving a disabled person at Brighton station and it highlighted the importance of accessibility at this important transport hub.

“I have since requested a meeting with the manager at the station to find out more about their policies and discuss how we can make it a more accessible for those with disabilities.”