A PLAN to move Northallerton's farmers' market is to be considered following concerns voiced by taxi drivers and the police.

The market is held on the fourth Wednesday every month on the north side of the town hall in an area normally used as a taxi rank. On those days taxis use an area on the opposite side of the High Street as a temporary rank.

"The temporary rank is a danger to both pedestrians and drivers," Tony Lemmon, chairman of the taxi association, told Wednesday's meeting of Hambleton District Council environment scrutiny committee.

"Drivers have to pull out onto a busy roundabout right next to a crossing place. It's not safe for them or for us."

Mr Lemmon, along with fellow drivers David Sayer and John Parrott, said the temporary rank also affected trade.

"On farmers' market days our revenue is down by at least 60pc," said Mr Sayer. "Some customers won't come down on those days, some can't find us. There is often not enough space for drivers to pick up customers or wait.

"Some drivers refuse to work on those days because they feel it is not worth the trouble."

Mr Lemmon said the council was not listening to the drivers.

"We are a form of public transport," he said. "Would a farmers' market be put on a bus stop or a train station? We have to pay the council money to park there, yet we are moved on every farmers' market day. We are losing income and we are getting no compensation for it."

PC John Trueman said the main focus was ensuring the temporary rank was safe to use.

"If proper safety considerations are in place, then we don't have a problem with it," he said. "But at the moment that hasn't been done. There are no clear permanent signs explaining when it is to be used for taxis, and the places marked out for cars are misleading.

"I appreciate that it is only temporary, but the question is how long does a temporary measure go on for?"

The committee agreed to ask the cabinet to consider whether the market should be moved.

If a decision is made to leave the market where it is, the committee agreed that better signs should be put in place, and the town council would be asked to remove a large roadside concrete planter to improve pedestrian access.

It was also agreed it might be possible to move stalls on a loading bay further down, to create more space for taxis.

Martyn Richards, head of legal and democratic services for the council, said: "It's a difficult balancing act but everyone has been given a chance to put their points forward. We want to make the best of what is not an ideal situation."