A TEMPORARY taxi rank in Okehampton's Fore Street has won support from West Devon Borough councillors despite some concerns that it may add to the increase of rubbish outside shop premises.
West Devon Borough Council's environmental and health committee voted to give permission for a taxi rank for a temporary period of one year.
Following the one-year trial a further public consultation will be carried out to reconsider the matter.
The move follows a petition from local taxi drivers and passengers for a rank to be reinstated in Fore Street. The council also received calls from young women in Okehampton who had found the newly sited rank in Market Street intimidating late at night .
Okehampton Chamber of Trade welcomed the move and support was given by the police but some concerns were raised by traders.
Staff at the Kevin Cooper store said there were already problems with rubbish and dirt left outside the premises and anything that increased the likelihood of more people congregating outside the windows of the shop sheltering from the rain would add to their problems.
Councillors gave the go-ahead for the rank between the hours of 7pm and 3am and during the day it would revert to two on-street car parking spaces.
The painting of the rank area and signing will cost approximately £300.