CHILDREN'S lives are being put at risk by red tape which forced a Bromsgrove taxi driver to abandon youngsters on a notoriously dangerous road, it is claimed.

E and M About Town Taxis, from King George Close, Sidemoor, have hit out at Lickey Hills Primary School headteacher Stephen Wallin for forcing private hire drivers to drop off and pick up pupils beside the busy Old Birmingham Road rather than using the school drive.

Taxi firms paid for by the authority's social services department can use the driveway.

Last week, Eddie Ramlal, a partner in the taxi firm, who is paid by a parent to ferry her two young daughters to and from the school each day, was prevented from using it by Mr Wallin.

Mr Ramlal told the Advertiser/Messenger: "I take their safety seriously and I'm not going to put their lives at risk.

"It is a dangerous road. I feel the school should be more responsible for their safety."

Mr Ramlal, who has been collecting the children since September, was told in October he could not use the driveway, but he says he attempted to use it last week because of heavy rain.

He added: "I have to use my discretion.

"If the weather is bad or it is dark, I am not allowing them to stand by the main road.

"They allow taxis paid for by Worcestershire County Council to use the driveway, but not me and I'm doing the same service as them."

Headteacher Mr Wallin said: "It is a matter of safety and it is school policy not to allow private vehicles on site.

"It is a narrow driveway where only one car can pass at a time and we have approximately 800 people leaving the site each day.

"There is another access to the school via a private road which the residents allow local education authority taxis to use."