FURIOUS traders in Minehead are demanding the immediate removal of two new taxi ranks in the town, calling their sudden appearance "an unbelievable kick in the teeth" for local businesses.

West Somerset Council's licensing committee approved the creation of five additional spaces for taxis in the town centre 14 months ago - subject to public consultation.

But traders, concerned at the loss of parking, say they knew nothing about the proposal until the markings for the ranks were being painted on the road last week.

And Minehead Town Council also says it has no record of being informed.

Newly-elected Minehead Chamber of Trade chairman Marcus Kravis said he wanted an investigation launched to find out how the town centre came to lose the five to seven parking spaces needed to create the ranks without either the majority of traders and the town council knowing.

"The local traders I have spoken to feel this is an unbelievable kick in the teeth for businesses in the town centre."

Mr Kravis said he found the situation "astounding".

"I don't know who at the district council should carry out the investigation but this decision needs correcting immediately and steps and procedures put in place to ensure such a situation cannot happen again.

"A major change that may have huge economic impact on the town centre has taken place without the traders, the chamber, the Licensed Victuallers' Association and, apparently, the town council not knowing - this cannot be right."

Mr Kravis said he appreciated the chamber's stance may not be popular with taxi drivers but he would welcome a meeting with their leaders to discuss mutual problems with parking and the provision of ranks in the town.

The extra ranks have provided two time-limited spaces outside The Leather Shop in The Avenue, operating only between 6pm and 5am to serve the late-night clubs and pubs in the area.

A further three 24-hour spaces have been provided outside Iceland in The Parade to help improve access to the town centre.

But Mandy Marchant, who runs the babywear and equipment shop Coo Chi Coo in The Avenue said the rank near her had already hit her trade.

"There are no signs saying the rank is only in operation in the evenings and overnight so motorists are pulling into it, realising it is for taxis and driving off again," she said.

"We sell car seats and our customers usually want to try them out in their vehicles before they buy them so they need to be able to park outside the shop.

"I'm really cross about this because we knew nothing about it until the area was marked out."

Gavin Cooper, who has run the Top to Toe clothing store in The Avenue for the past 13 years, said the nearby rank was not only affecting his business but also his home life.

"We live in a house next door to our shop and we are worried about the potential noise problems," he said.

"We have four flats and both we and our tenants have already had trouble this week with the driveway being blocked.

"Motorists are ignoring the keep clear signs because there are fewer parking spaces.

"I think it's outrageous that we weren't consulted. We've just had the KFC outlet open up nearby and the area is very busy - the council could not have picked a worse time to do this."

Mr Cooper said he did not believe the taxis would use The Avenue rank because people would continue to be picked up outside pubs, such as The York.

His view was echoed by Tony Hunt of The Leather Shop who described the two-bay rank as a " waste of space."

He said he had seen a story in the Free Press 14 months ago when the licensing committee was due to consider the creation of the new ranks but had been told by a district council officer that he would be given an opportunity to object.

But he said he thought as the owner of a nearby property he would be properly consulted - as happens with planning applications.

However, the consultation took the form of a public notice in the Free Press, giving people 28 days to lodge any objections, which Mr Hunt said neither he nor other traders saw.

"I'm sure the council followed its procedures but they need to be changed because they are flawed.

"I should have been consulted and I am really angry about this, not only about the loss of parking but also because of the late-night noise if taxis do use this rank.

"I live over my shop and many of my neighbours have young families. Why is the council even thinking of trying to drag the drunks 50 yards up the road to get a taxi on my forecourt?"

District council spokes-man Stacey Beaumont said statutory consultation had taken place with the police and the highways agency and the town council had also been informed.

"In light of the concerns raised, the effectiveness of the new ranks will be reviewed over the next six months, with a report then going to the licensing committee," she said.

"It will also be proposed that members consider formalising future parish or town council consultation and extending consultation to include the owners of nearby properties."

Ms Beaumont said no objections had been received regarding the new ranks, which were the first to be designated in more than three decades.

"During this time, the population of the town and its neighbouring rural communities has increased considerably, resulting in a need to extend this integral part of the public transport system.

"In addition, the district has one of the largest older populations in the country and the council is looking to accommodate the long-term needs of all residents."

Ms Beaumont said the aim was also to alleviate the current congestion at the town's only existing rank outside the town hall, which had drawn regular criticism in recent years, as well as improving road safety for pedestrians and drivers alike.

She said the new ranks had been sited in the main shopping centre to help people access the town's services and shops more easily.

New signs would be put shortly to ensure there was no confusion over who could park on the ranks, and when.