Cardiff black cab drivers have protested after they were banned for waiting outside the train station for taxi rank spaces they pay to use.

Prior to the development of Cardiff Central train station, black cab drivers paying for permits to use the Saunders Road rank at the train station had access to around 24 spaces.

Following the development of the transport hub, that has reduced to 11 spaces for 103 permit holders. Discussions with Cardiff council led to the promise of a feeder rank on St Mary Street. The overflow taxis were able wait outside the station to access the rank.

However, the council has recently informed drivers that when the new bus station opens on 30 June, taxis will be fined if they are caught waiting to access the rank. It also stated that the promised feeder rank will now not be going ahead.

Taxi drivers have been told they must keep driving around the city centre until a space becomes available, which will only cause increased pollution and traffic in the busy built-up area.

Unite regional officer Richard Jackson said:

“Cardiff council’s behaviour is disgraceful and is a direct attack on our members’ livelihoods. It made promises to support the trade that were put in writing by the chief executive Paul Orders. Now those promises have been reneged on.

“There has been no consultation, no support for the trade and our members are enraged by the continued disdain they are being subjected to. Unite will be exerting maximum pressure on Cardiff city councillors until this completely unacceptable situation is made right.”

Branch secretary of Unite’s Cardiff Hackney Alliance, Sanwar Ahmed, said:

“Taxis are an integral part of the public transport network in Cardiff. But the council has deliberately setup a system focussed on penalising drivers rather than taking responsibility for the problems it has created. If Cardiff council integrate us properly into the transport hub it will benefit train passengers, the night economy and disabled and vulnerable travellers.”