TAXI firms in Ely have expressed concern at a series of new vehicle regulations which could end up costing them thousands of pounds to satisfy. According to new rules, many taxis in the district will have to adopt a single uniform colour with an official

TAXI firms in Ely have expressed concern at a series of new vehicle regulations which could end up costing them thousands of pounds to satisfy.

According to new rules, many taxis in the district will have to adopt a single uniform colour with an official district council logo for cars also required but taxi firms are concerned by the new rules and believe that the changes will cost thousands of pounds.

The decision to introduce the changes was agreed earlier this month at a meeting of the district council's licensing committee following lengthy consultations.

Despite several meetings with councillors however, John Skipper, joint-owner of A10 taxis in Ely, remained unhappy: "When we first started out in Ely we had five cars and now we have 34, we have worked hard to improve our business but these new rules will set us back, he said.

"I don't think any of the new rules are what the public wants and from what we have been told it is going to cost us around �2000 a car to get them re-sprayed to fit in with the new standardised colour.

"I really don't think that people in the trade were involved enough in this process."

Once a new colour for taxis has been decided in consultation with the council, taxi firms will have to change the relevant cars within their fleets inside a five year period, with changes to signage and licences also required.

Cllr Bill Hunt, member of the licensing committee, said: "What Ely needs is a safe and professional taxi service and I believe that what was agreed will provide that.

"In this process we had to balance the needs of the public with the best interests of the taxi firms and I think that there has been compromise on both sides to reach a suitable outcome.