A PLEA to remove a council ban on taxis using a bus lane has been made by the city’s Labour councillors.

Labour said residents in the north and east of the city are being “needlessly” hit in the pocket during a cost-of-living crisis by Worcestershire County Council over its ban on taxis using the Lowesmoor bus lane in Worcester.

The group of councillors, including Basharat Ali, Pat Agar, Simon Cronin, Jabba Riaz, Lynn Denham and Jill Desayrah, said the ban had caused more traffic along the already-busy City Walls Road with the price of sitting in congestion adding a further £5 to many taxi journeys.Cllr Pat Agar, who represents the Nunnery ward, said: “As anyone with a good knowledge of Worcester knows, closing Lowesmoor to cars has pushed the traffic flow away from that area and along City Walls Road.

“Lowesmoor is a key route to the eastern part of the city, but is currently blocked off to traffic under the threat of fines.

“For taxi passengers, pushing them into the City Walls Road gridlock can add ten minutes of delay, which in turn adds a cost of £5 to every journey.”

Worcestershire County Council is said to have collected £475,000 in fines in the last 12 months – including more than 800 penalty notices last month alone.Cllr Basharat Ali, who also represents the Nunnery ward, said taxi rides were the only option for many in the city – particularly those with mobility issues – and called on the council to take the ‘needless burden’ away from passengers.

“We understand how important it is to manage air quality in the Lowesmoor area, and the city in general,” he said.

“What we’re asking is not for the complete re-opening of Lowesmoor to all traffic, but for taxi passengers not to be penalised.

“For many passengers, particularly with mobility issues, taking a taxi isn’t a luxury - it’s the only option.

“The county council needs to take the cost-of-living crisis seriously, and take this needless cost burden away from passengers.”

Cllr Rouse, cabinet member for highways and transport at Worcestershire County Council said he would be taking a closer look at Lowesmoor but would always prioritise buses over taxis on the route.