PEOPLE who have difficulty walking have criticised a council's decision to move a taxi rank.

The extra walk in Middlesbrough town centre is proving too much for some elderly and disabled people.

They say the location of the rank was ideal before it was moved from a side street opposite the bus station to Newport Road last month.

Heather Ratcliffe, 80, of Thorntree, Middlesbrough, said: "I am thoroughly disgusted because it seems the people who planned this have got no consideration for pensioners.

"It is too far away for us because we are not able to walk very far and can't manage it when we have got bags to carry."

A 57-year-old man, who did not wish to be named and who suffers from breathing difficulties and spinal injuries, said he could not make the walk without having to stop along the way.

He said: "Before, it was great because you would come out of the bus station and jump in a taxi, but now it is quite a walk."

Taxi driver Rasub Afzal, 37, said the new rank was dangerous for drivers and pedestrians because motorists kept parking in the spaces and in a turning circle.

Middlesbrough Council defended the move, and said the site was safer for pedestrians.

A transport spokesman said: "Previously, cabs had to cross the pedestrian crossing twice and turn in an area used by vehicles to deliver to shops. Providing a turning circle has meant that we can separate taxi movements out from other vehicles."

From September, the council will be in charge of issuing parking tickets. It has promised to clamp down on motorists flouting the law.