Traffic chaos over taxi protest

Hackney cab drivers are angry at private cab operators

Hundreds of cab drivers have brought parts of Liverpool city centre to a halt in protest at taxis from outside the area which work in the city.

The taxis are lined up outside the town hall on Dale Street, partially blocking access to the dock road.

Drivers claim private hire firms are taking trade in the city while paying less than Liverpool drivers in terms of insurance and premiums.

One driver said: "These drivers are taking the bread out of our mouths."

The protest started at the Bridge Inn in Netherley and ended at Liverpool town hall.

Driver anger

Liverpool City Council said that hackney cabs must return to the authority in which they have been licensed after they have dropped off their fare.

However, it added, private cabs are regulated by a different act and can legitimately work out of their area.

Another driver said: "They should stay in their own boroughs. When they drop off they should make their way back there - but they don't, they just sit there.

"They sit on every rank in town, they sit on Lime Street station. Go around town now and you will see thirty or forty of them sitting - they are taking the bread out of our mouths.

"Someone needs to start doing something about it."