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There are currently 45 taxi ranks in the city centre and 24 at locations outside the city including Crumpsall where unauthorised motorists park cars to pop to shops and banks.

Last April Manchester City Council won powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act to enforce all traffic regulation orders relating to unauthorised on-street parking.

At the time the council appointed its own traffic warden force to crack down on illegal parking but the wardens have no power to police taxi ranks as they are covered by separate legislation.

Licensing chiefs are concerned people can park their cars in the ranks without risking a fine and are preventing taxis operating safely.

New regulations to be agreed by the council's licensing committee on Wednesday, June 7 will allow council-controlled wardens to issue tickets to illegal parkers in taxi ranks for the first time.