A BOROUGH is set to get more taxi cabs which will all be wheelchair accessible.

Hyndburn Council's cabinet will be asked on Wednesday to approve lifting the current limit of 59 hackney carriages in its area.

And it is being recommended to insist that any new cabs are fully usable by the disabled.

A report to the senior councillors by Wendy Redfern, the local authority's licensing manager, says: "The council currently has a policy of restricting the number of hackney carriage licences issued.

"The limit in Hyndburn is currently 59 and all plates are issued.

"However in maintaining such a policy the council has to provide evidence that there is no significant unmet demand for hackney carriage services to be in a position to refuse any new applications for additional licences.

"A four-week consultation has just taken place in order to get a view from licence holders, taxi and private hire users, the police and other stakeholders.

"The consultation was instigated after several complaints were received from members of the public who had struggled to book a taxi to take them home after a night out in the borough.

"The complainants were stating that the situation is so bad that they preferred to stay at home rather than risk being stranded and having to walk home late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

"This in itself poses a risk to members of the public and it is the duty of the council first and foremost under the licensing regime to protect the public.

"The consultation response from the police clearly sets out a need for more licensed vehicles late at night and refers to possible crime and disorder and public safety issues due to the current shortage.

"The consultation has clearly set out that there is significant unmet demand for hackney carriages in Hyndburn.

"The concern is that this could sometimes mean walking home late at night, getting a lift in a unlicensed vehicle with an unlicensed driver or even risking driving themselves after having a drink.

"Officers recommend that the council remove the restrictions on the numbers of hackney carriage licences.

"Further officers recommend that any new licences should only be issued to purpose-built or professionally modified wheelchair accessible vehicle.

"There is a requirement for wheelchair accessible vehicles in the borough."

Cllr Marlene Haworth, leader of Hyndburn Council's Conservative group, said:"This is a good proposal as will hackney cabs should be wheelchair accessible."