I READ with some amusement on page six of the Bolton Evening News (September 23) about the impending taxi drivers strike, and would like to thank you for the advance warning.

For the 600 or so drivers who will not apparently be joining in, it should be a very lucrative weekend.

I cannot understand, though, why these drivers will be trying to inconvenience the travelling public upon whom they rely to earn their living, when it is Bolton Council who are allegedly causing their grievance. I am certain the Council will not be affected one iota by their actions.

Both the private hire and Hackney carriage trades elected people to represent their interests at council meetings. All their elected reps were present when the decision was taken to increase these costs and enable the council to retain taxi testing in house, so why are they now making such a fuss?

Although the test costs have increased by £16 per annum, their representatives also won some valuable concessions: they no longer need to have engines steam cleaned, a saving of approximately £20, the bodywork inspection will now be conducted in a more favourable light than before, any appeal against a test failure will be much quicker, and they wont now have to wait three or four weeks for a test or retest like before. Cause for complaint? I dont think so.

Regarding the monopoly of the testing station, it is a fact that most councils throughout the country now conduct in house testing, mainly in order to apply their required standards fairly and consistently. I have been one of Wellington Yards fiercer critics in the past with regard to their zeal, but inconsistent? Never.

The council is not allowed to make a profit from its taxi testing activities. There is not, therefore, any financial advantage to be gained from failing vehicles for the potential repair or retest fees. Can the same be guaranteed for private garages?

I should point out that these are my personal views. Although shared by some of the BTDA members and committee, the issues raised have not been fully discussed or adopted as official policy.

John Henderson

Assistant Secretary

Bolton Taxi Drivers Association

Rusland Drive

Harwood