Fears as taxi talks held on Ludlow race day

Taxi drivers have hit out at council chiefs after discovering a key meeting to discuss hikes in licence rates in Shropshire will take place on the same day as Ludlow races.

Hackney carriage and private hire drivers across south Shropshire have been invited to attend a taxi forum at Stone House council offices in Ludlow on Wednesday.

It comes after members of Shropshire Council's strategic licensing committee backed plans to create a single licence fee across the county, which it is claimed raises the cost for some drivers by up to 50 per cent.

Now fears have been raised that many drivers will not be able to attend the meeting as they need the business taking visitors to Ludlow Racecourse.

Annette Coombes, who operates six Hackney carriages at the Ludlow-based Annette's Taxis, said: "We should be able to get around this issue of the meeting being held on the same day as Ludlow races, but I know that a lot of firms from Ludlow, Craven Arms, Cleobury Mortimer and Bridgnorth probably won't show because they need the business."

Andy Goldsmith, from the council, said: "The date (for Wednesday's meeting) was set at the previous taxi forum meeting and was felt to be a good time for drivers on school contracts because it's half-term."