A PEACEFUL protest by Wyre Forest taxi drivers has failed to convince the district council not to implement changes to licensing conditions.

A cabinet meeting last Thursday gave the green light to plans dictating that all taxi drivers applying for a new hackney carriage licence must have a vehicle less than two years old and purpose built or factory converted to enable wheelchair accessibility.

Any taxis due to be replaced within the next 12 months can be replaced with saloons but not after that period.

A new livery system has also been introduced, meaning that all hackney carriages will be silver and private hire cars will be red.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust - a leading public safety authority set up in the name of an estate agent who disappeared after going to meet a client in 1986 - has backed the moves by the district council.

The charity's chief executive, Julie Bentley, said: "Illegal minicabs are very dangerous and are a major problem throughout the UK.

"Therefore, it makes sense to ensure that licensed taxis and minicabs are as easy as possible for members of the public to identify."

Councillor James Dudley, the district council's cabinet member for the environment and economic regeneration, said the licensing conditions were being changed to make sure residents and visitors could get home safely.

The new conditions, which came into force on Saturday, were also welcomed by West Mercia police.

Inspector Paul Crowley said: "We are keen that the personal safety of taxi users in the Wyre Forest area is given a high priority and we hope the changes offer reassurance and an increased level of confidence locally."

The changes have not been welcomed by members of Disability Action (Wyre Forest), however, which wrote to council leader, Stephen Clee, in August saying they were opposed to the proposal of working towards a totally hackney carriage fleet of taxis.

Members said silver was not a good choice of colour because it caused glare in bright sunlight and was difficult to see in the dark and recommended yellow instead.

They welcomed the council's decision to issue 10 more wheelchair accessible vehicles though.