TAXI and private hire vehicle drivers fearful for their jobs turned out in force to express their feelings to Poole Council about deregulation.

The Law Commission is reviewing the law relating to the regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles and is recommending that licensing authorities should continue to be allowed to limit taxi numbers.

Borough of Poole, which issues a new hackney carriage plate to a brand new wheelchair accessible vehicle each year, responded to a previous proposal that it might lose its powers to limit numbers by supporting a transitional period.

However the taxi trade expressed concern that this response represented a change in Poole’s policy and around 40 drivers attended a licensing committee meeting.

“We were very disappointed with Poole Council for not consulting us,” said Kevin Diffey, chairman of Poole Radio Cabs, one of three representatives who addressed the committee.

“We are obviously happy they are not going to deregulate, at least for the time being,” he said.

There are 81 taxis in the borough and 200 private hire cars and he said if there was no regulation all of these could put a taxi sign on the roof and attempt to use the taxi ranks. “It would be an absolute nightmare,” he said.

The council has said if there was to be any change in its policy of managed growth there would be full consultation with the taxi and private hire trade.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder said they had responded to government consultation on limiting the number of hackney carriages.

“However, during this consultation process, we have not made any amendments to our current policy of managed growth of hackney carriage numbers.

“We will be reviewing the draft Bill when it is available at the end of this year and will fully consult with key stakeholders on any proposals to change our policy in the future.”