PEOPLE across Worcester are being asked for their views on efforts to crackdown on shoddy taxis around the city.

Worcester City Council wants to launch a new drive to improve the standards of cabs, including safety tests every six months rather than yearly.

As your Worcester News revealed in December, an investigation found nearly 170 cabbies failed key 'compliance tests' during just 12 months with faulty brake pads, illegal tyres, defective lights and expired MOTs among a catalogue of issues.

Under the plan every single hackney carriage and private hire driver will be asked to report to an independent testing centre in Blackpole every six months for the tests.

Depending on the problem those who fail face being removed from the road.

Until now the cabbies only had to do the compliance tests once a year, despite some vehicles doing a staggering 100,000 miles per annum.

Even parliament has decided that councils, which rule over taxis, can ask drivers to surrender their vehicles three times a year without fear of legal action.

The council must hold a consultation ahead of bringing it into force, saying the extra teats will see vehicle licence fees rise £25.

Councillor Allah Ditta, who chairs the licensing committee, said: "We have raised concerns because an above average number of licensed vehicles are failing the council’s compliance test.

"Were looking to take action to improve the safety of vehicles both for members of the public, and for taxi drivers themselves.

"We would like to hear from Worcester’s licensed drivers and operators, members of the public and any other interested parties to ensure the course of action we're proposing is the right one."

A survey has now launched, which council bosses say takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.

To get a telephone copy call 01905 822799.

It will run for 12 weeks, ending on Tuesday, April 25 and the responses will be kept anonymous.

The council's licensing and environmental heath committee will then be tasked with making a final decision in June.

The compliance tests go above and beyond MOTs and delve into considerable detail, even checking things like the condition of the seats.

In December the crackdown was backed by the Worcester Taxi Drivers Association.