COUNCIL chiefs have hit back at claims that strict new standards are driving many taxi drivers out of business.

A number of Hackney Carriage drivers in Darlington have contacted The Northern Echo to say they cannot afford to maintain their vehicles because of the changes.

Earlier this year, the borough council began a crackdown on taxis which are more than six years old.

Owners seeking to re-plate their vehicles must now provide proof of regular servicing and repairs, in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.

Strict tests to determine the condition of a cab inside and out are also being carried out.

Regardless of age two mechanical tests are now also required per year, compared to one previously.

One taxi driver, who did not want to be named, said: "The town must be losing at least one driver a week because they cannot afford to meet the requirements."

Barry Pearson, Darlington Borough Council's licensing manager, said the stricter standards were justified and denied that drivers were being lost as a result.

There were ten fewer Hackney Carriage licensees in the town as compared to last year, but this was down to natural fluctuation with drivers dropping out through retirement or ill health.

Said Mr Pearson: "Our main requirement is to protect public safety and the comfort of the passenger.

"What is being asked of Hackney Carriage drivers now is not extreme, but it does catch some people out.

"There are a small minority of owner drivers who don't maintain their vehicles and run them into the ground.

"Previous experience also told us that some only chose to do maintenance work just before the annual mechanical test so the cars do just enough to get through." he said.

There are currently about 170 Hackney Carriage licence drivers in Darlington.

Those whose vehicles have reached the six-year-old stage could have driven as many as half-a-million miles during that period.

Mr Pearson said: "We are trying to achieve a level playing field here and the same rules apply to everybody."