A TAXI rank in York city centre is to have its hours slashed, in an attempt to cut down on late-night antisocial behaviour.

City of York Council is reducing the operating hours of the Duncombe Place rank by more than a third, in response to lobbying by local residents, businesses and the police.

Previously, taxis have used the rank around the clock, but they will now be restricted to the hours of 7.30am to 10pm each day.

The move has been welcomed by David Brooks, general manager at the nearby Dean Court Hotel, but was slammed by York Taxi Association secretary Alan Rowley, who said the problems were being caused by youths gathering at the nearby Boer War memorial.

Mr Rowley said: "I'm lost for words. Moving the taxi queue will do nothing. Let's look in three months - the antisocial behaviour will still be there."

He said the area had been made a no-drinking zone, but was not being adequately policed.

He said reducing the rank's hours was "bizarre", and added: "It's like trying to solve an algebra problem by chewing gum - it's not going to work."

But Mr Brooks said the groups of youths were being used as a red herring, and said he was "absolutely thrilled" by the council's decision.

He said: "The taxi rank has always been a catalyst for gatherings of people who have been out enjoying themselves - and why not? But, needless to say in a residential area, a taxi rank creates noise."

He said City of York Council, Safer York Partnership and the police had helped reduce the problems caused by youths on the war memorial.

He added: "To be frank, those crowds were never there much later than 10pm. You can have 15 to 20 of the most well-behaved people in the country, but that's not going to stop them chatting loudly while waiting for a taxi."

A council spokeswoman said: "We have been aware that the 24-hour taxi rank caused some disruption to local residents and hotels for some time.

"However, the problem has been exacerbated by an increase in the number of people using the rank late at night as a result of the extended licensing hours.

"We hope that the new operating hours will reduce any night time disturbance.

"We have consulted on this proposal, all representations have been considered and approval has now given."

She said signs and road markings would be updated before the hours changed.

But Mr Rowley said: "Who's going to read a notice in the dark that says this rank is not open? It will cause more confusion, because taxis will go past and there will be shouting."

City's curfew' on night economy

THIS is the second time in a fortnight that council bosses have taken action over York's "night-time economy".

Last week, councillors agreed to a set of restrictions on pavement cafés, which will prevent them operating before 10am or after 8pm.

That move has been brought in on a temporary basis only at present. The proposals had sparked condemnation from café and bar owners.

Andy Knights, owner of Dusk, in New Street, said: "I would have a nightmare if they shut it at night. I have nowhere to put outdoor furniture inside, so I would have to consider losing my outside entirely. A ban on new applications is one thing, but to take away something which is already there is so unfair."