ANGRY taxi drivers were defying a ban and parking on their rank in Canterbury city centre today despite it being commandeered by police for Lambeth Conference coaches.

Dozens of drivers staged a protest at the council offices this morning over the restriction and drove around the city centre in convoy.

Police supervised the dropping off of coach passengers this morning, but after they and the vehicles had gone, the cabbies began to park up despite a Kent Highways order suspending the rank.

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One driver said: “I think they can’t keep police officers here all day and are just turning a blind eye. They must have got fed up with us driving round and round, but what else are we supposed to do?”

He added: “We thought they wanted to keep coaches parked here all day, but that’s obviously not the case.”

The rank is also due to be closed to drivers all day Friday and for a large part of Sunday.

CI Lee Russell said: "It was always the intention that the rank only be closed for a short period of time in the morning and evening. No guarantee was received from the taxi drivers for supporting this practical and proportionate measure. Therefore, the decision was made for full suspension. This situation has now been resolved and the taxi rank will be suspended for a short period in morning and again in the evening on relevant days to allow for the movement of coaches connected with the Lambeth Conference. Our intention throughout these discussions has been to ensure that the journey through Canterbury for those who live, work and visit Canterbury was subject to minimal disruption."

See this week's Kentish Gazette for full story.