TAXI drivers in Weymouth and Portland are warning services would ‘cease to exist as we know it’ if the council axes the limit on licences.

They told Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee the limit on Hackney carriages – taxis that can pick up fares without being booked – needs to be kept to prevent a drop in safety standards and reliability.

Nigel Richardson, chairman of the borough’s Hackney Carriage Association, told the meeting a survey costing £10,000 was carried out three years ago.

He said it found a need for 37 Hackney carriage drivers – there are now 80 in the borough, the current maximum.

Legal officers told members a survey should be done every three years to safeguard the council against appeals for licences.

Mandy Fry, secretary of the Private Hire Association, said there were plenty of taxis available as non-Hackney carriage licence holders operate through private hire companies.

She said: “The onus is on the company to ensure sufficient vehicles are working at all given times including Christmas Day.

“If delimiting the industry was enforced, then private hire would cease to exist as we know it if private hire drivers chose to obtain Hackney carriage licences, as is the case in West Dorset.

Ms Fry told members since licences were delimited in West Dorset, Dorchester has seen an excess in Hackney carriage drivers who are ‘fighting for spaces’.

She added: “The decisions you make will affect the livelihoods of many families and by delimiting our industry will do nothing but reduce the income for drivers and also compromise safety standards and reliability.”

John Sapsford, chairman of the Private Hire Association said delimiting licences would see the service to the public suffer.

He said: “Public transport in some areas is somewhat limited and the private hire service is the only form of transport available.

“For example, Southill on a Sunday or after 6pm on weekdays.”

As the committee went to vote taxi drivers were supported but with five votes each way chairman Mike Goodman’s deciding vote means a public consultation will go ahead.

And this could lead to a new survey to check demand as they consider whether or not to delimit the number of licences.

Councillor Tim Munro said he saw no justification for a survey as he has seen no increase in usage.

He said he would guess more people are using buses due to the concessionary fare scheme.

Coun Christine James said if current drivers were put out of work by an influx of new drivers it would be ‘atrocious’.

She said. “We don’t need more cars going around the town.”

Coun Peter Chapman said he has always been able to get a taxi ‘in the small hours’.

He said: “I know fights can kick off at taxi ranks but we don’t have that problem as far as I’m aware.” After the meeting Mr Richardson welcomed the councillor’s support but said he wants an ‘unmet demand’ survey to be carried out, which drivers are willing to pay for.