A new taxi rank could end the congestion which is threatening to bring chaos to Preston city centre.
The new waiting area on Corporation Street would allow cabbies extra rank space when new restrictions are enforced at the railway station from June 2.

Drivers from across the city were furious over the announcement by Virgin Trains that just 12 cabs would be able wait on the station forecourt to pick up passengers.

But, after a week of meetings involving drivers, licensing officials, the police and highways chiefs, a compromise has been found.

Mike Thorpe, head of licensing at Preston Council, said: "There have been some decisions made and we have found a site for a new taxi rank.

"This will act as a feeder for the reduced rank at the railway station as well as another location for customers to get a taxi."

The sliproad at the junction of Corporation Street and Ring Way, close to Preston City Mission, will become a rank for up to 10 cabs.

New restrictions will be imposed banning other traffic – apart from permit holders – from using the road.

The council is also looking at installing a new rank on Charnley Street, close to the Fishergate Centre, and making ranks on Market Street and Friargate available around the clock.

Cabbies were angry when station owners Virgin announced their strict new limits on the number of waiting taxis at the rank on Fishergate.

Spokesman Parvesh Vatcha told the Evening Post: "We will still have 20-25 cabs with no rank but the feeder rank is better than nothing."

http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/Fresh-bid-to-end-taxi.4117768.jp