TAXI drivers last night hit out after they were branded irresponsible for organising a strike at short-notice.

Cabbies across Darlington staged a one-day strike on Friday, November 18, as part of a long-running feud with the borough council over changes to the town centre with the £6.5m Pedestrian Heart scheme.

Taxi drivers say they have not got sufficient rank space or vehicular access to the town centre, and want a direct telephone line to police.

Scores of Hackney cabs stopped taking fares from 10.30pm, leaving many late-night drinkers without transport.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said the lack of notice could have had serious consequences.

He said: "If taxi drivers are determined to inconvenience people in Darlington town centre by withdrawing labour, they owe it to everyone to at least give adequate notice so people can make alternative arrangements."

Coun Wallis said taxi representatives were fully consulted about changes arising from the pedestrianisation scheme.

He said: "It is the case that with the priority for pedestrians, there is pressure on space for buses, trade deliveries and blue badge users too.

"Taxi drivers have to understand that they are no more and no less important than other town centre users."

Last night, cabbies refuted his comments and said there had been no consultation over town centre changes.

Linda Linley, secretary of the Darlington Hackney and Private Hire Association, said further strike action would be considered.

She said: "We were not irresponsible, we waited in the freezing cold at the ranks from 10.30pm to 2.30am telling people they could get a car if they rung an office.

"We are always made out to be the bad boy. It is not right. There are only nine taxi spaces in the town centre.

"If there are 50 cars wanting them, a lot of people will lose out."