TAXI fares will be bumped up as out-of-pocket cabbies struggle to fight losses caused by speed bumps and other "traffic calming" measures.

The hike in prices - set to bite on certain fares from November 1 - has been supported by drivers who are angry at measures which they said are slowing down journeys and damaging their cars.

Traffic calming in Tennyson Way and Marlpool Lane in Kidderminster and Kidderminster Road in Wribbenhall was causing travel misery, said Bob South, secretary at Wyre Forest Taxi Drivers' Association.

And proposed speed bumps in four key Kidderminster roads and the imminent completion of traffic calming on the Queensway estate in Bewdley would only make life worse for cabbies and passengers alike, he said.

He said: "The extension to journey times is causing friction between ourselves and the travelling public and, unfortunately, we have had to pursue a fare increase to address our losses.

"The passengers don't like them because they are bounced around the back of the cab, which hurts their backs.

"It is taking us longer to complete the journeys and it is also slowing traffic down for us to get back into Kidderminster. We just can't get back into the town quick enough."

Mr South spoke out after plans to put in speed bumps and junction platforms in Wood Street, Park Street, Castle Road and Woodfield Crescent in Kidderminster, looked set to be given the thumbs up.

Work should begin early next year but Mr South said taxi drivers were dreading having to use the streets - which he said took 50 per cent of all their journeys to and from Kidderminster.

He said: "You drive down a street with speed humps 16 times a day and you are going to do a lot of damage. You catch your exhaust and it damages the suspension - I have had to have my suspension arms changed twice in the last three years.

"With the new kerb extensions, we will need to cross into the oncoming traffic on all left-hand turns. These extensions are particularly dangerous to children crossing to the newsagent's on the corner of Wood Street and Plimsoll Street."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire County Council - which has commissioned the traffic calming in Wood Street, Park Street, Castle Road and Woodfield Crescent - said only two objections had been received from the public in a consultation leading up to the works.

l Last month councillors gave the thumbs up to the changes which will increase the standard charge from £1.70 to £2, but reduce the time-and-half tariff from £2.55 to £2.50 and double time from £3.40 to £3.