Black taxis return after checks

A number of black cabs caught fire elsewhere in the country

Black cabs taken off Bedfordshire roads because of a risk of fires breaking out under their bonnets will return in the next few weeks.

Luton Council temporarily suspended the vehicle licences of 12 Hackney carriages after cabs caught fire elsewhere in the UK.

Manufacturer London Taxis International (LTI) said it was confident it had identified the source of the fires.

The recalled vehicles have since been made safe by LTI-nominated garages.

As a result of the fires, all drivers and owners of TX4 vehicles with 56 plates were told to have their cabs checked by their supplier as soon as possible.

Councillor Don Worlding said: "We'd like to thank local Hackney cab drivers affected by this situation for their understanding and co-operation.

"Clearly no-one wants to see the travelling public or our licensed drivers at risk of fire and we are pleased the vehicles are now being safely returned to the road."