DURHAM City Council is pressing ahead with controversial changes to taxi licensing, despite opposition from drivers and the city's MP.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council is to allow an extra nine hackney licences, all for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, with the possibility of more being awarded in the future.

The move is designed to meet demand for taxis, particularly at weekends when late-night revellers queuing at ranks can be a flashpoint.

But the city's two taxi groups and Labour MP Gerry Steinberg have criticised the move. Drivers, who are talking of staging a protest strike, say their views have been ignored and that the council has gone against the findings of a survey that they had to pay for.

Both the Durham Independent and Durham City taxi associations fear that more than nine licences will flood the market and that part-timers will try to cream off trade at busy periods, hitting the business of full-time, established operators.

They are also concerned at the introduction of a rule that all cars should be white and an age limit on vehicles.

The council says the changes are in line with Government thinking and that the city's fleet of 55 cabs has only two wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Coun Fraser Reynolds, cabinet member for the environment, said: "This was a clear opportunity for us to greatly increase the availability of taxis to the disabled community over a relatively short time frame.

"We have listened to the views of all stakeholders and firmly believe that a controlled deregulation of total taxi licence numbers, whilst improving the quality aspects of licensed vehicles, will mean significant benefits to all the travelling public."

He added that the aim was to make licence plates available from the council rather than have them traded privately.

Phil Bell, chairman of Durham City Taxi Association, said drivers were angry at the move and considering a strike at busy weekend periods. He said: "They have not listened to what we have said and gone against their own survey."

Mr Steinberg said the number of drivers could fall if they were unable to make a living because of too much competition.

"The policies proposed are bizarre and would effectively discriminate against operators who are providing employment within the city," he said.