A TAXI rank is to be turned into a parking bay for disabled drivers.

Inconsiderate taxi drivers have made traffic bosses introduce the change at Broad Street, Bury. Currently the hackney carriage stand should only be used between 6pm and 6am, effectively creating an evening rank for two vehicles.

Outside of those hours the strip of road should only be used for loading and for disabled drivers.

But the area is heavily used by taxi drivers during the day. They park their vehicles there until a space becomes available at the official Haymarket Street rank.

Borough engineer Mr Mike Cannon said: "This is in contravention of the traffic regulation order, causes obstruction and leads to pollution as vehicle engines are left running."

Members of Bury Council's traffic and engineering sub-committee decided on Monday to give its backing to the removal of the night-time hackney carriage stand and the creation of designated parking spaces for Orange Badge holders at all times.

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