POLICE will not be issuing tickets to taxi drivers who use an illegal rank in Redditch town centre until the consultation period over its controversial relocation comes to an end.

Moving the rank from Unicorn Hill to Bates Hill has met with safety concerns and strong opposition from taxi drivers, who took strike action over the issue last Saturday night.

The more popular site in Unicorn Hill was only temporary while the bus station was being built and an order allowing it to operate as a taxi rank has since expired.

Insp Gareth Prosser, of Redditch Police, said: "There has been a meeting between the borough director, county and borough councillors, the police and representatives of the taxi association.

"It has been agreed temporary concessions would be made in relation to parking issues on Unicorn Hill and Bates Hill until the consultation is resolved on December 3.

"Officers are being advised to police the area sympathetically with a view to educating drivers as opposed to issuing tickets."

He added: "The role of the police during this consultation period is to advise the council about any issues surrounding crime and safety.

"We have been liaising with the council about its responsibilities when it comes to crime and safety but at the end of the day, the decision will rest with the council as to where the taxi rank is."

Redditch Taxi Association chairman Mohammed Araf said: "Everybody seems to be on our side and wants the rank on Unicorn Hill.

"Taxi drivers are still using it. The police are not ticketing us but they are having a word. They will not ticket us until everything is decided."

Mr Mohammed said taxi drivers would strike again and turn all their phones off if the rank was moved to Bates Hill following a council executive meeting on December 10.

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith has pledged her support to the taxi drivers and has written to highway bosses asking for the Bates Hill rank to be scrapped.

Redditch Council director Sue Hanley said: "We are still in the formal consultation process and we are discussing the plans with statutory bodies, including the police and highways."