TAXI drivers in Bury have won a landmark victory which has national ramifications.

Council licensing bosses have backed down from a historic legal showdown and said "carry on cabbie".

The U-turn is also good news for disabled people in wheelchairs, who need to use black cabs.

Bury Council had told main taxi company Farebay Ltd that it may be acting unlawfully by operating hackney carriages as private hire vehicles, and could be shut down.

This caused an uproar in the trade, both locally and in many other areas of the country.

After months of heated protest, licensing bosses have said they will not prosecute drivers. Instead, they are asking the Government to sort out the complicated system of taxi licensing.

Coun Trevor Holt, licensing chairman, said the case had caused great anxiety to all concerned.

"The local authority has encouraged taxi companies to obtain black cabs which often give easier access for elderly people and those with disabilities," he said. "To be forced into a position where we would be taking legal action which might prevent the use of such transport by those who need it most was not something we ever wanted to do." Coun Holt said others were "better placed" to sort out the legislation. He added: "In the meantime, local Hackney carriages can continue as they always have, offering a much needed service to the people of Bury."

Troubleshooter Mr Ted Lane, who has been advising Farebay, had threatened an injunction against the council and challenged the authority to sue "if they were brave enough".

"It's a very good result for drivers and operators in Bury," he said. "They now know that the council are trying to get the law changed and they will not be prosecuted."

He said the council, in protecting the public in relation to taxis, preferred co-operation to confrontation.

Owners and drivers have, however, been asked to keep much tighter records of bookings.

He added: "Initially some of the officers handled it very badly, but I was very grateful for Coun Holt's intervention.

"Common sense and justice has prevailed."

Mr Lane said he was considering asking the council for costs and loss of trade, but would take advice from the firm.

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