PLANS to set up a 24-hour walk-in taxi booking office in the centre of Newport look set to be thrown out over concerns around cars stopping in the middle of the road.

Dragon Taxis has lodged an application to convert a hairdresser in Upper Dock Street to a booking office.

But the plans have been recommended for refusal by Newport City Council’s planning department over concerns cars stopping in the middle of the road to pick up passengers would block buses and other traffic.

The application will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, March 1, where members will hear the proposed office would include a small seating area for customers to wait and would be open 24 hours a day, including Sundays and bank holidays.

Although the application states cars would park in bays in nearby Skinner Street to pick up passengers, the council’s planning department said this would not always be possible and vehicles would instead have to stop in the middle of the road.

In a representation to the council, the firm has drivers will be required to follow traffic regulations and any who do not will be reprimanded.

To view the full plans visit newport.gov.uk/en/Planning-Housing and search for application 16/1171.