THE planned creation of more taxi ranks in the heart of Whitehaven will curb late night disorder in the town according to police.

A county council meeting heard that greater taxi rank provision would help stop “disputes”, reducing crime and disorder in the town.

The proposal won the backing of members of the county council’s local committee for Copeland this week, despite concerns from businesses that the measures might actually fuel antisocial behaviour.

But writing in support of the plans, Police Sergeant Mitchell Franks said: “A joined-up approach to transport and the night-time economy is essential and in Whitehaven registered taxis provide the main service to remove people from the area in a timely fashion. There is a need for taxi ranks and the siting of a new one that reduces pressure on the current ones is a positive move.

“The siting of taxi ranks on Duke Street, Tangier Street, George Street and Bransty Row and North Shore road would help people to leave the town in a quick and orderly fashion and possibly negate the need for taxi marshals. This in turn is beneficial to reduction in crime and disorder and unnecessary disputes between waiting customers, allowing for greater opportunity to obtain a taxi. It will also allow drivers to leave the town [from] both both north and south, eliminating the need for u-turns in busy roads.”

Conservative councillor for Bransty Graham Roberts said he believed the measures would help improve public safety close to Wetherpoons.

He added: “It’s really chaotic [there]. I don’t know how a fatal accident hasn’t occurred there by now.

“We know there has to be deliveries to Wetherspoons but when you get buses and pedestrians and taxis and cars whizzing by it’s a recipe for disaster, so I welcome these proposals.”

The county has received four objections to the taxi rank plans from businesses amid fears that it will become a magnet for antisocial behaviour, loitering, noise disturbance and abuse.

Businesses were also concerned that the creation of a taxi rank would leave them without a loading bay after business hours.

Work is expected to start on implementing the changes in spring.