Preston Council's licensing committee has given the go-ahead to install three new ranks in Lancaster Road, Charnley Street and Lune Street.

The move is in response to the waiting spaces at the city's railway station being cut to 12.

The new rank in Charnley Street will also serve shoppers at the Fishergate Centre, replacing a pay and display parking bay.

The rank at Lune Street will only operate during the evening to serve late-night revellers.

Mike Thorpe, the council's head of licensing, said: "There is an ongoing process to improve rank provision in Preston."

The decision to install the ranks will now be passed on to highways officials at Lancashire County Council.

Committee chairman Coun David Hammond said he hoped the new ranks would be ready before Christmas.

Members also agreed to revoke five unused ranks in Fox Street, Carlisle Street, Deepdale Road, Great Shaw Street and East View.

And the income drivers will receive will also increased after the committee approved an 8% rise in fares, expected to come into force on September 3.

Members of the Bolton, Bury and Preston Hackney Carriage Association had been pushing for a increase of 10%, claiming an 8% rise would not cover living costs.


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