Meeting on taxi changes

A special meeting will be held to hear licence applications by Wyre Forest District taxi drivers who could be faced with buying new purpose-built cars.

It follows a demonstration by pensioners and taxi drivers angered by proposals to make all taxis in the district accessible to wheelchairs.

They claim there should be a mixed fleet because the vehicles which can carry wheelchairs do not suit everyone.

Many pensioners have said they dislike the taxi vans because although people in wheelchairs can use a ramp to get in and out of the vehicles, others have to snatch at grab-handles.

No date has been set for the meeting but members of the council have said that 22 cars whose licences are due to expire at the end of June will be allowed to continue in use for a further year.