Concil bosses have come under-fire following the closure of one of Darlington's best-known taxi firms.
John Singh, who was proprietor of Abbacab, hit out at Darlington Borough Council in a letter complaining about a lack of support for the trade.
The firm announced its closure last month after 15 years in the town, blaming red tape and bureaucracy imposed by the local authority.
In his letter, Mr Singh criticised the council over a series of issues, including the decision to make new cabbies take the Driver Standards Agency test.
The test must be taken by new drivers before they can be granted a licence and existing cabbies must be sit the test ahead of their next medical examination.
But Mr Singh said: "A driver's livelihood can depend on him taking this test.
"Persons over 60 are particularly vulnerable and have been forced to retire prematurely."
The council said the test must be taken as a matter of public safety
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