A TRAIN company should be served with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo), according to Watford Councillor Steve Rackett.

His suggestion comes in response to the blocking of the forecourt at Watford Junction station by Silverlink Trains Ltd.

As a result, passengers wanting a ride must either walk to Clarendon Road for hackney carriages or arrange for a minicab to pick them up in the road leading to the car park.

Councillor Rackett said: "The responsibility for this whole debacle rests entirely with Silverlink.

"Their appalling management of the taxi issue has made Watford a laughing stock."

The barrier was put in place after hackney carriage drivers began plying for hire on the forecourt three weeks ago.

Silverlink maintain this was illegal because they have contracted a minicab firm, AA United Taxis, to provide services from the station.

However, their latest tactic to prevent the hackneys operating, also blocks AA's minicabs from using the forecourt.

Councillor Rackett said: "People who have visited the town in the last week can't believe what they see; an empty rank, and chaos in the approach road to the car park.

"Passengers and pedestrians are forced to take their lives in their hands. This would never be tolerated on a public road for safety reasons."

He said individuals who treat the public with contempt are given Asbos, and therefore Silverlink's directors should be subject to the same treatment.

He said the Asbo should only be lifted when taxis are back, operating from the forecourt.

Silverlink spokesman, Graham Bashford, denied the company was being anti-social.

He said: "The barrier will stay in place until the situation with the hackneys is resolved.

"It's just as quick for passengers to get a cab from the approach road to the car park."

He said Silverlink had given the contract to AA with the intention of providing a higher level of taxi service for its passengers.

He said the company would not take the hackneys to court, as it was not Silverlink that was making the fuss.

The hackney carriage drivers say they have the right to operate from the forecourt because they have purchased a third of AA.

They also say, under railway bye-laws, hackneys do not need permission from from train operators to ply for hire on railway property.