Chaos at Brighton Station as Taxis Flout Pickup Rules – While Council Turns a Blind Eye

Taxi drivers are routinely ignoring official pick-up rules by collecting passengers illegally at the front entrance of Brighton Railway Station, despite a designated legal taxi rank situated at the rear on Stroudley Road. The situation is causing growing frustration among residents, law-abiding drivers, and businesses – and drawing criticism towards Brighton & Hove City Council’s […]

Taxi drivers are routinely ignoring official pick-up rules by collecting passengers illegally at the front entrance of Brighton Railway Station, despite a designated legal taxi rank situated at the rear on Stroudley Road. The situation is causing growing frustration among residents, law-abiding drivers, and businesses – and drawing criticism towards Brighton & Hove City Council’s perceived failure to enforce its own regulations.

The designated taxi rank at the rear of the station is intended exclusively for Brighton-licensed taxi drivers, who must pay for a permit from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to use it. Enforcement at this rear rank is carried out using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, managed by GTR’s contracted parking enforcement firm.

The front of the station, once a bustling taxi pick-up area, was officially closed to taxi operations in late 2019 following a joint decision by GTR and the council to reduce traffic, noise, and pollution on Surrey Street.

But in practice, many drivers continue to flout the rules—waiting at the front entrance, often parked on double yellow lines, bus stops, and pedestrian crossings, putting pedestrian safety at risk and causing confusion for arriving passengers.

“We’re told to use the rank at the back, but no one’s enforcing anything,” said one licensed driver, who asked to remain anonymous. “The council says one thing, but turns a blind eye when others break the rules. Why should we follow them when no one else is held accountable?”

This illegal behaviour has been exacerbated by a lack of enforcement from Brighton & Hove City Council, who are responsible for monitoring parking violations, including taxis blocking bus stops. Despite warnings that violations could lead to £500 fines or licence suspensions, enforcement remains patchy and largely ineffective.

While the rear rank was introduced to bring order and improve traffic flow, it’s been met with criticism from drivers and passengers alike. The location is more exposed to the weather, farther from the city centre, and has resulted in higher fares due to longer travel routes.

Petitions calling for the return of the front-rank have gained traction, with residents and local businesses voicing concerns about the practicality of the current setup.

“This isn’t just about where taxis park,” said a local business owner. “It’s about a city authority that’s failing to enforce its own rules and protect the interests of those who play by them. It’s an embarrassing mess.”

With summer approaching and tourism expected to surge, the issue is becoming more than just a logistical problem—it’s turning into a symbol of a council out of touch, and unwilling to confront those who openly ignore the law.

Sussex News has tracked and reported on this issue regularly for a number of years via our X account @SussexIncidents, highlighting photos, resident complaints, and real-time traffic disruptions caused by the unlawful activity.

As the problem continues unresolved, questions mount: Who’s really in charge—and why are the rules only being enforced against those who follow them?