TAXI drivers in Hyndburn are facing tougher regulations in a bid to cut down on the number of dangerous vehicles on the road.

A series of spot checks on private hire and taxi cabs last year revealed a worrying level of vehicles with defects.

Several taxis were so bad, police insisted they were taken off the road and repaired before being allowed back into service.

One driver had his licence taken off him because of the condition of his car.

When the new rules come in, the council will have the power to take unsafe cars off the road until they are repaired.

Dangerous vehicles will also be tested every four months, once they are allowed back into service.

And in the most serious cases, some taxis will be banned and drivers will lose their licences.

Drivers, private hire firms and taxi operators will be expected to make sure their vehicles are safe under the new set of rules.

Bosses of taxi firms will also be expected to keep any service records for their cabs.

The new measures were discussed at a meeting between Hyndburn councillors and the borough's taxi operators.

Coun Dave Massey said: "These new regulations are in the interests of the good operators.

"If we have a proper set of regulations, then all the operators know exactly where they stand."

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