FEARS over Uber's arrival in Christchurch have been raised by taxi drivers in the town - even though there are not any private hire vehicles registered on Uber's licence yet.

Uber gained a private hire operator's licence in July this year after Christchurch Borough Council found no legal reason to refuse the application.

However, the international transport service provider has not yet officially launched in the area.

The council confirmed Uber intend to launch their business in the borough before the end of September.

At a recent meeting between taxi drivers in the town and staff from the council's licensing department, questions were raised over Uber drivers not having to go through the same protocol as taxi drivers.

Maarten Ven Den Dool, who operates an independent taxi service in Christchurch, said: "Taxi drivers have concerns with Uber coming to this area.

"I'm aware of cases where Uber drivers have not got the proper licence and taxi drivers all over the country feel similar to me on this.

"I will fight for taxi drivers in Christchurch to start with. If I have to, I will fight for taxi drivers up and down the country."

"Taxi drivers in Christchurch are vetted, subject to criminal checks, health checks and now they want drivers to do an NVQ2 and BTEC.

"If Uber drivers are properly registered then I can have no issue and it is just fair competition in Christchurch."

The Daily Echo approached Derek Heritage, director of United Taxis, but he refused to comment on the subject of Uber in Christchurch.

Sean Whitney, public health and protection manager at Christchurch Borough Council, said: “Uber met all of the statutory requirements required to receive an operator’s licence.

“We would like to reassure taxi drivers in Christchurch that Uber will have to comply with exactly the same requirements as all other licensees, and any failure to comply with council licence conditions would result in the status of the licence being reviewed by the Council’s Licensing Sub Committee.

"Once registered, Uber drivers will be treated in the same way as all others.”