COUNCIL chiefs say they will step up patrols to stop drivers ignoring the rules over a new taxi rank location.

Cabbies were told to switch to a new site behind Brighton Railway Station last week as part of plans to transform the foyer at the front.

The decision was made by Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs the station.

Queueing taxis had led to a bottleneck in the area, causing delays for buses and other traffic in the surrounding streets.

Taxi drivers were told to queue in Stroudley Road, behind the station, instead.

The change was introduced on Monday last week, but after just a few days, some taxis were still being spotted parking outside the front of the station.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it has received a “number of complaints” that the new taxi rank location is being ignored.

Taxis and private hire cars are legally allowed to drop people off on yellow lines and at bus stops, unless the bus stop has a no entry sign.

But the authority has warned drivers they must not “wait or tout” in areas they are not permitted to be in.

One Argus reader took a picture of errant drivers and said: “This is why the taxi rank was moved to the back.

“But as you can see taxis are ignoring the move and still blocking bus stops and Surrey Street.

“By doing so they are in breach of their licence.”

The change to the taxi rank location was welcomed by North Laine Green Party councillor Lizzie Deane.

She said: “Residents will be pleased that GTR has finally taken the decision to relocate the taxi rank to the rear of the train station, freeing up the narrow residential streets they live on from traffic fumes, congestion and noise.

“This news will be particularly welcomed by people living on Surrey Street and Upper Gloucester Road where day-long traffic queues had become commonplace.”

In a statement the city council said: “We have had a small number of complaints from drivers stating that other drivers are queueing up at the front of the station, rather than using the new rank at the rear of Brighton station.

“A lot of cabs already use the bay outside the Grand Central pub. Taxis are not allowed to queue in any of these areas and must move on as soon as they have dropped off.

“Hackney carriages can be flagged down if passing, but they cannot wait or tout and must return to a council-appointed rank in accordance with by-laws.

“Civil enforcement officers patrol the area and licensing officers will also be increasing their checks on this area. Any licensed driver that continues to ignore the Highway Code can expect enforcement action.”