The taxi rank outside Waitrose on West Street could be moved to behind the supermarket, but gain an extra two spaces.

It was reported at Bridport Town Council's best value and scrutiny sub committee that town surveyor, Daryl Chambers, is looking at ways to resolve the 'bottleneck' that is created on the street when there are too many taxis for the rank.

He said: "We've always had a problem outside Waitrose with the taxis backing up into the bus stop, meaning the bus double parks to offset passengers.

"We've tried all sorts to try and resolve this and can't seem to get anywhere.

"One of the ideas we have looked at is to take four of the taxi places away and replace them with six to the rear of Waitrose. We're hoping it will free up what is a bottleneck in Bridport.

"I think what brought this in was a complaint about the taxis continually sat in the taxi rank with their engines running, which I agree is another matter, but they shouldn't be doing it anyway.

"It will be good to elevate what is a bottleneck on one of our main streets which could be easily resolved by putting the taxi rank to the rear of Waitrose.

"It is the most serious bottleneck in the town when it does happen and we've got a way of resolving it so let's get it resolved."

The land in mind in owned by Dorset Council and Mr Chambers' first port of call is to approach the council to see if it will let them use the land.

Cllr Dave Rickard asked if the taxi drivers had been consulted. He also had concerns of increasing traffic behind Waitrose, with the land on a one-way system.

Mr Chambers said that they will be engaging with the taxi drivers.

He added: "I see what Dave is saying about pushing traffic round, but lots of traffic goes round, that's the biggest car park in Bridport.

"People park in the car park and go that way so I don't see why taxis would be different to anyone else."

Cllr Sarah Carney said: "It would be nice to have that bit of land tied up, it's a scruffy mess at the moment and would be nice to have a couple of benches there for people to sit and wait for the taxis as well.

"It could be a good opportunity."