A NEW taxi rank on the site of disabled parking spaces is not wanted by disabled drivers - or even cabbies.

Disabled drivers say the rank, which has space for nine taxis, takes up valuable parking space near Darlington town centre.

Taxi drivers say it is in the wrong part of town to be profitable.

Cabbie George Jenkinson said: "I could sit there all day and not make £2."

The rank, opposite Number 22 bar, in Coniscliffe Road, had double yellow lines, which disabled drivers can use, and disabled bays, before the change.

But since it was established, it has rarely been used by taxi drivers.

Mr Jenkinson said: "We have always said we didn't want it. It's no good to us.

"We had meetings with the council. I was in them and told them how we felt.

"We've had meetings for three years. Let the disabled drivers have them back.

"I don't go there and I don't know anyone who does. It's in the wrong part of town.

"They should scrap it. They are obliged by law to provide spaces, but we don't want them there.

"Ideally, we want space where Marks and Spencer and McDonald's is, down that end of town.

That's where we want a rank."

Councillor Peter Freitag, who is forming the Disabled Drivers Action Group, said: "It was used by disabled drivers, as it was close to town, but now they can't - and yet the taxi drivers themselves don't use it."

Councillor Heather Scott, leader of Darlington's Conservatives, raised the issue at last week's council cabinet meeting.

She said: "What I suggested is they could leave it for disabled drivers during the day and have it as a rank at night, when the bars are open.

"Half of Coniscliffe Road has been put down as a taxi rank, but the taxi fraternity don't want it."

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said the council would consider the rank's position, but added: "The taxi trade was consulted via the Darlington Taxi Liaison Group.

"The disabled bays have been relocated to the other side of the road and can be used 24 hours a day."