TAXI-DRIVERS have called for further consultation with council chiefs over a proposed shake-up of taxi rank locations in Darlington town centre.

The borough council's cabinet meets on Tuesday to discuss an overhaul of the Hackney carriage stands, as part of the £6.5m Pedestrian Heart project.

The proposals were revealed earlier this week, with the council stressing that the overall capacity of taxi ranks - both during the day and at night - would be increased.

But Linda Linley, secretary of the Darlington Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Association, said drivers would probably find the plans unacceptable.

She said: "I don't think it is going to be acceptable unless they negotiate with us - it really needs hammering out round a table."

She said the main concern was a lack of accessible town centre spaces during the day, which would particularly affect elderly and disabled people.