A WORKING party is to be set up to consider what changes can be made to improve wheelchair access for taxi-users.

Middlesbrough Borough Council has decided to establish the group after officers drafted a report highlighting the lack of provision for wheelchair users in the town's Hackney carriage fleet.

The report was undertaken following applications for new Hackney carriage licences for vehicles which would have been accessible for the disabled.

Although councillors felt unable to endorse the requests immediately, as they feared the costs of supplying such vehicles could be prohibitive, they agreed to consult with taxi drivers and disabled groups to reach a solution. In order to collect evidence, they have decided to set up a formal working party comprising of five members.

The group will consider the current and likely future arrangements for taxi licensing including the demand for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, the needs of people with disabilities, the legal requirements and the cost of accessible vehicles.