A Deal taxi driver has raised concerns the road layout and nuisance parking at South Street is blocking cabs in at the taxi rank.

Danny Button, of Celtic Road, said the £200,000 alterations have been carried out with “little thought” by someone who has “no idea how taxis operate in Deal”.

He claims this is because the rank contains cars owned by more than one taxi firm and independents.

It means the first in line will not be the first to leave; instead the first to leave could be four or five cars back.

Mr Button said the layout, which includes high kerbs, means it is not always possible for the cabs to leave.

He said: “More importantly, should someone phone for a wheelchair accessible cab, if it is in the middle, this will not be possible. It would seem the council has created a situation that in certain circumstances prevents us from working and servicing the public.”

Mr Button claims coaches and delivery lorries park on double yellow lines adjacent to the rank, as this is nearer to the shops than the designated loading bays.

When delivery lorries are in the loading bay, Mr Button said at least two cars in the rank will be unable to exit.

Even if the lorries were not there, the taxis in the middle would be unable to leave due to the high kerb which traps them in, he said.

Mr Button photographed the problems to highlight to the council the road layout is not working.

Previously the Mercury reported that independent taxi driver, Keith Hobday, claimed the new South Street rank was making business “impossible”.

He said since the paths were widened and the rank positioned outside Lloyds Bank, trade has become difficult.

“It is worsened by vehicles parking on the yellow lines, including blue badge holders who are allowed to park there.”

At the time the Mercury went to press, Kent County Council, which is responsible for the changes, had not commented.