Update 26 October 2021:
The email below has been sent to the club. We will keep you informed of developments.
To Jake Heath,
Supporter Liaison Officer,
West Ham United.
Hi Jake,
We have been working with the London Taxi Drivers Association towards achieving a taxi rank by London Stadium. We have the support of Transport for London and have identified a potential site.
Let me be clear on what we want Jake. A taxi rank that can be utilised by ALL West Ham supporters making their journey to the stadium easier and in some cases, possible. Indeed, to some, it would be the difference between watching their team, or walking away from the club they love because they simply cannot manage the walk to the stadium.
We note Paul Brennan’s email stating ‘The West Ham accessible team have reviewed the proposal & have stated the best solution is for black accessible taxis to go to platform 13 of Stratford Station, Jupp Road. They can then get on the shuttle buses.’
Paul Brennan then adds, ‘this I would say is an absolute waste of everyone’s time and about as useful to your needs as a chocolate fireguard.’
Many of our members have expressed concern that the proposal is apparently being blocked by West Ham. Surely that cannot be the case - why would the club block it? Jake, who exactly are the West Ham accessible team, are they part of the LLDC? Whoever is blocking it we will release a statement updating our members and the wider fan base accordingly.
We would hope that the club could work with us towards achieving a facility which would be of huge assistance to West Ham supporters, and in some cases the difference between watching or walking away from the club they have supported for years.
We hope we can meet up and discuss a constructive way forward and I look forward to a timely and positive response accordingly.
Best regards,
Paul Colborne
(Chairman, Hammers United)
We recently informed you of plans to open up a taxi rank at London Stadium.
http://hammersunited.com/taxi-rank-outside-london-stadium/
We have an update below.
We have received the following Email from Paul Brennan, Chairman, London Taxi Drivers’ Association.
Hi Paul
West Ham’s accessible team have reviewed this proposal and have stated the best solution is for black accessible taxis is to go to platform 13 of Stratford station Jupp Road. They can then get on the shuttle bus which will take them to the club shop. This, I would guess, is an absolute waste of everyone’s time and about as useful to your needs as a chocolate fireguard?
Paul’s comments sum it up; a complete waste of everyone’s time. Who would want to get a cab and end up probably just as far away as from the stadium as where they started and having to wait for a shuttle bus? And what of those who struggle with the walk but who are not registered disabled, the club website does not explain who qualifies for the accessible shuttle.
What we had hoped for was that West Ham supporters could hail a cab from wherever they happened to be and be driven to a point near to the stadium. A facility enjoyed by supporters of Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and Palace to name but a few of the other clubs across London who can make this work.
There must be a way we can assist our fans. It would be good if West Ham could make a real effort here and show some care and understanding for fans who spend considerable time, effort and money supporting the Hammers.
Hammers United will continue to lobby for a solution. We will keep you informed.
Come On You Irons.
