A COUNCIL could be on a collision course with a town's cabbies over plans to move two taxi ranks.

Middlesbrough Hackney Carriage Association says it will press for a judicial review, if the district council insists on relocating two town centre ranks.

The town's taxi drivers complained to Middlesbrough Council's complaints and appeals committee yesterday that they were not properly consulted over relocation plans for the Grange Road and Hill Street ranks.

Association secretary Joe Durkin said: "They are going to end up with a brilliant town centre, the best; but people there are going to be stranded because they won't be able to find a taxi.

"Regeneration is fair enough, but not to the detriment of transport. We have had consultation over taxi ranks since January 2001, all other ranks, but these two."

Mr Durkin said Middlesbrough Council had sacrificed proper consultation to meet a tight time frame for applying for, receiving and spending regeneration funds.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "We want to relocate these two taxi ranks as part of the town centre regeneration improvements.

"They will offer improved facilities for the public and extra spaces, plus high quality lighting, paving and signage.

"Relocation will also improve pedestrian safety and make the shopping environment more pleasant for visitors."

The side street rank next to the Hill Street shopping centre would be switched to the opposite side of Newport Road, near the bus station.

The Grange Road rank would be moved into an unused children's play area, which is screened by a high wall.