Leicester:- Polluting taxis could be axed

http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/latest-east-midlands-news/Polluting-taxis-could-be-axed.3979329.jp
About 200 Leicester taxi drivers whose cars pollute the air could have their licences removed while cleaner cabs could get a discount, the council has warned.
The city council is targeting vehicles that fall short of European standards on exhaust emissions and vehicle safety.

The worst polluters would not have their licences renewed after April 2009 while those with the next highest emissions would not be licensed after April 2011.

Taxis without ABS anti-lock braking will also be phased out.

Newer cabs must already have anti-lock brakes and cleaner exhaust emissions that comply with European standards. Council officers are recommending the same rules apply for vehicles licensed before December 2006.

There are also proposals to give drivers of the lowest emission taxis a 50% discount on their licence fees.

The council's cabinet will decide whether to approve the plans next week.

A council spokesman said: "These proposals would see an improvement in the quality of vehicles being licensed as taxis in the city, which will both benefit air quality and make taxis safer.

"We are working closely with the taxi trade."

The local authority said Hackney carriage licence holders backed the proposals during a consultation process.