A DISPUTE that helped spark a taxi drivers' strike earlier this year has been resolved, after a series of meetings between operators and council officials.

Pendle councillors have agreed a series of measures aimed at going some way to meeting the drivers' demands. But the council has refused to budge on some important matters.

Among the changes to the rules surrounding the area's taxi operation are:

The age limit on cars being newly-registered as taxis be reduced from seven years to six and no cars over nine years old can be taxis.

Cars up to two years' old will be tested once a year, from two to five years' old twice a year and six years' old and over, three times a year.

The requirement for a white stripe along the sides of hackney carriages be abolished.

The use of a combined vehicle licence and registration plate be approved.

Combined hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences be offered at a reduced fee.

A review of the council's penalty points system be carried out.

The council agreed in principle to carry out its own random checks on vehicles as well as existing police checks carried out in conjunction with the council.

In March, drivers held a 24-hour strike in protest over a number of issues, many of which have been included in the recent talks.

But drivers still feel the council has not gone far enough. Spokesman Mohammed Ansar said: "Our main concern is safety. But we want the licence fees to be revised and for this council to come in line with other councils in Lancashire which do not have age restrictions on cars."

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