TAXI drivers have welcomed an announcement from Westgate Centre managers that a new taxi rank outside is now open.

In February it was revealed that disabled people were finding it hard to reach the new £440m centre because the rank in Old Greyfriars Street had not yet been opened.

Now, people using mobility scooters, including Colin Ridler, 65, from Oxford, will be able to visit the Westgate Centre more easily.

Until now he has faced a ride across the city centre from the nearest rank in Gloucester Green because the rank in Old Greyfriars Street had not been made ready, and taxi drivers are not allowed to drop passengers off in the Castle Street/Norfolk Street link road, as it has been reserved for buses.

Sajad Khan, a spokesman for the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA), which represents drivers of the city’s 107 black cabs, said: “We welcome the announcement that the new rank is now open.

“This will make it much easier for our drivers to drop off and pick up passengers at the Westgate Centre, including those who are disabled.

“While there are some signs up at the Westgate highlighting the rank I think there should be even more.”

Mr Khan added that he would continue to lobby the county council to allow COLTA’s drivers to use Norfolk Street and Castle Street.

A ban was approved as part of the planning permission, given by Oxford City Council in 2014.

Mr Khan said: “It would help our drivers a great deal if we could have access to these streets and we will continue to press for this.”