TAXI drivers in Wyre Forest fear there could be fewer cabs on the streets if a deregulation scheme wins council backing.

Under the proposal, when drivers renew their licences they will have to replace their saloons with hackney carriages, which are wheelchair accessible and could cost up to £30,000.

Wyre Forest District Council's licensing and environmental committee met on Monday and issued nine licences by ballot.

Head of planning, health and environment, Mark Kay, told the Shuttle/Times & News: "The committee has recommended approval of the deregulation plan and that the conditions within the deregulation plan will apply to the nine new licenses drawn yesterday."

Roy Powell, chairman of Wyre Forest Taxi Drivers Association, said drivers were unhappy with the plan, adding: "We feel that if the deregulation plan goes ahead, there will be casualties. There will be less taxis, not more taxis in Kidderminster, which is not what they had in mind."

Council leader, Stephen Clee said: "The decision the council makes will be the best one for the public at large as we are improving the safety and accessibility of the vehicles. We have had the taxi association involved all the way through.

"We are going to set up a hackney carriage working group."

Around 30 drivers staged a protest outside Duke House last Friday afternoon to make their feelings known.

Mr Powell said: "The protest was just to show the depth of the feelings and concerns taxi drivers had about their futures."

The cabinet will make the final decision about the proposal on Thursday, August 25.