Proposals to limit taxi access to a key town centre rank have left drivers warning of significant financial losses.

Norfolk County Council plans to introduce a new bus lane in Great Yarmouth, which would restrict the use of the taxi rank outside the Troll Cart pub on Temple Road to just six hours a day, from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

The Great Yarmouth Taxi Association has voiced strong opposition, accusing the council of pushing through the changes without fully considering the impact on the taxi trade.

Sean Morley, a representative of the association, said, "The Troll Cart rank is a cornerstone of our business and one of the busiest locations. This decision will severely hurt our trade and divert customers elsewhere. It feels like we’re being sidelined in favor of buses."

The council argued the £2 million project aims to improve bus services by making journeys faster and more reliable, reducing congestion, and stimulating the local economy. The proposed bus lane would reverse the current flow of traffic in the area.

As part of the plans, the taxi rank at Theatre Plain would be expanded to accommodate 12 vehicles, and new ranks would be created at Market Gates Road, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Drivers, however, remain unconvinced. They claim the Troll Cart rank, located outside a popular pub and a focal point for passengers, is vital for their livelihood.

The council's licensing committee is set to vote on the proposed changes in the coming year. Photo by Mic from Reading - Berkshire, United Kingdom, Wikimedia commons.