Taxi drivers stage Bolton rally against controversial MLS scheme

The protesters gathered at around 6.30pm on Wednesday evening as councillors arrived for a meeting and made their feelings known.

The controversial Minimum Licensing Standards would mean taxi vehicles would have to be less than five years old on first registration and have been on the road for less than 10 years to avoid a charge.

Bolton Private Hire Association secretary Yasif Khan said: “At the minute, the cost of living is going up, fuel prices are going up, food prices are going up.

“This is going to impact on ordinary members of the public.”

The protest attracted taxi drivers from across Bolton

Mr Khan argued that harm done to the taxi trade was also likely to rebound on other services like nightclubs and restaurants.

He said older people who rely on taxis to get to hospital and to do shopping would also be affected if more taxis were forced to go off the road or put-up prices.

The rally was held outside Bolton Town Hall

Nick Astley, owner of Metro Taxis said: “We just want someone to listen to us really on MLS.

“It’s just not workable, we just want a happy medium.”

Cllr Rabiya Jiva was at the event on Wednesday evening in support of the taxi drivers.

She said: “We are arguing for the right of driver, policy procedure makers to be consulted.”

She added: “Enough is enough, these people need to be heard.”

Opposition leader Cllr Nick Peel said that Bolton Council had the opportunity to send a clear message by challenging the scheme.

He said: “Bolton Council can turn and say we’re not going to do it and say the ball is in your court Boris, what are you going to do about it?”

Cllr Hilary Fairclough confirmed at the evening's meeting that the decision on stage two will be deferred until the summer months "until the picutre has become clearer."

She said the council will continue discussions with the taxi trade until then.