DISABLED people can expect new wheelchair-accessible cabs on roads across the Wycombe district after the council restated its commitment to a changeover to London-style taxis.

New EU regulations will mean licensed cab drivers across the UK will have to start adopting the new brand of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the years to come.

And on Friday, Cllr Dennis Green, chairman of the Wycombe District Council-led tax licensing panel, said he was keen to push forward with getting in line with the legislation.

Cllr Green (Con, Princes Risborough) explained: "I think it's something that has got to come in. Disabled people do need to be treated normally so this is a way forward for all people who are disabled."

Two types of taxis currently serve the Wycombe district.

Hackney Carriages, which can be hailed by customers on the street, and private hire mini-cabs.

The new regulations will only apply to Wycombe's 42 licence holders for Hackney Carriages.

Wycombe District Council is currently in the process of handing out eight new Hackney Carriage licences and it wants all of those to be wheelchair-accessible.

Under current rules taxi vehicles must be changed every eight years. New London-style cabs are to be given a life of 14 years.

The council has received almost 100 applications for the eight new licences.

Alison Lewis, chairman of the Wycombe Area Access for All group, which advises the council on disability issues, said she would like to see a mixed fleet of taxis to reflect the mix of disabilities that exist.

She added: "Not all disabled people use wheelchairs".

February 14, 2002 13:38