TAXI drivers have called on railway bosses to make sure their stops are closer to Oxford Station when it is revamped.

They said the taxi rank's present position, across the road from the entrance steps, can only be reached via a 'dangerous' crossing.

This, they claim, makes it more difficult for disabled people to reach and is said to be causing 'daily' confusion.

In a letter to rail chiefs, the City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (Colta) said the station was 'desperately in need of full restructuring'.

The comments came after Network Rail western route boss Mark Langman said he would make plans to redevelop Oxford Station 'a priority'.

In response, Colta secretary Sajad Khan has told Mr Langman: "There is an urgent need to focus on the correct positioning of the taxi rank and sufficient rank spaces.

"We have been unhappy with the current arrangements in terms of where the rank is positioned and the way it functions. It causes confusion to our passengers daily and certainly makes life even more difficult for disabled passengers because of the lengthy distance and the dangerous crossing they have to tackle to get to us.

"Ranks should be sited so passengers – including the disabled in wheelchairs – can board or alight from the taxi onto the footway on the nearside of the vehicle in safety next to the entrance of the new railway station.

"We only have one chance to put it right before passing any plans."

Oxford Mail:

At the moment, Oxford Station is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) under a franchise agreement with Network Rail.

GWR spokesman James Davis said: "GWR has operated the Oxford Station franchise since 2006 and the present layout has been the same since before that time.

"Clearly, that does not mean to say when the station if redeveloped in the future that it will not be possible to provide better facilities for everyone who uses it.

"We will work with Network Rail and local partners to provide the best solution for all our customers, including taxi drivers and businesses based at the station."

Speaking to the Oxford Mail earlier this month Network Rail's Mr Langman threw his support behind ambitious plans to demolish the current 1970s buildings and replace them with state-of-the-art facilities.

He said the firm would 'work with stakeholders to bring those plans to fruition and make sure we get funding'.

A 'masterplan' for the station's redevelopment was launched in 2014 but officials have struggled to secure cash for the scheme.

As well as adding a new platform, it would see the creation of new east, west and south entrances, increase the number of tracks from four to six and add a new bus interchange, twice as much bicycle parking, shops, offices, a hotel and housing.