PROPOSALS for late-night taxi ranks on the town’s outskirts have been under review.

The requests were made by Ellesmere Port’s hackney carriage association, which asked for ranks to be designated on Ledsham Road and Chester Road, Little Sutton.

The association suggested a rank at Ledsham Road should operate from 8pm to 5am. Councillors heard this was the second bid for a rank to be designated at that location.

A previous request had been considered in September 2010 and at the time, the amount of opposition had led to a site meeting between licensing officers and local residents who were concerned at possible increased levels of noise and disturbance from the cabs.

Occupiers said they were generally in favour of a more suitable location.

A report points out the request was rejected in February 2011 and a similar proposal was likely to meet with further opposition from residents and councillors.

It was agreed the council’s executive should not be recommended to designate the rank.

Similar hours were requested at Chester Road where licensing officers pointed out the location had also been previously considered and had met with initial approval from both the police and the highway authority.

Due to the number of pubs, restaurants and takeaways in the area, there was reported to be demand at times for late-night lifts and there were no other ranks nearby.

Councillors agreed to recommend the executive to agree a part-time evening and night-time rank for consultation.

Licensing officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council argue the role of cabs is ‘crucial’ in reducing late-night disturbance and anti-social behaviour.