A HEADLESS Cross landlord is furious taxi drivers will once again be allowed to charge double fares over Christmas despite mounting a successful campaign against it.

Brian Farmer, of the Seven Stars pub in Birchfield Road, collected more than 1,500 names opposed to penalising festive revellers with double fares.

His petition was collected during the two-week consultation period held when Redditch Council asked residents' views on the fare increases.

But on Friday, Mr Farmer received a letter from the council stating that while his petition had been considered, the charges would go ahead.

Drivers will be able to double the charges for partygoers from 6pm on Christmas Eve through to midnight on Boxing Day and from 6pm New Years' Eve to 6am the following day.

He said: "I think it is wrong of the council to allow taxis to charge double fares at Christmas, especially when they don't put on any extra public transport. I have heard so many horror stories from my customers about the amount they have been forced to pay for a taxi at this time of year."

This is the second consecutive year he has collected signatures opposed to the fare increases.

"Once again they have not listened, they have just swept the petition under the carpet.

"I think the decision was already made before the consultation period."

Sue Hanley, the council's director of environment and planning, said: "On October 19, the executive committee approved an increase in the Hackney Carriage fare rates in line with the current Retail Price Index.

"Authority was delegated to myself, in consultation with the chair of the committee, to consider any objections received, and to modify the fare rates as appropriate.

"We received a petition on November 7 objecting to the proposed double tariff fees for specified periods at Christmas and New Year's Eve.

She added: "Following consultation with the chair of the executive committee, it was decided to proceed with the fare increases as agreed by the committee, having fully considered all comments from the public consultation exercise which ended on November 9.

"The increases will be implemented from December 1.

"Contact has been made with Mr Farmer who will meet with the taxi licensing manager in the near future to discuss a range of issues."