TAXI leaders are in talks with Dudley Council to resolve their dispute over colour restrictions for their vehicles.

Drivers are hoping to put forward acceptable amended plans to satisfy the borough’s taxi committee which has refused to lift a ban on any colour other than white been used so that passengers are clear they are being collected by a licensed private hire car.

The drivers say they are being unfairly penalised by the rule, which does not apply in neighbouring boroughs or to hackney carriages, claiming white cars are rare and often more exepensive.

But after a row erupted at last week’s full council meeting following a go-slow protest by in the town centre streets, Dudley Taxi and Private Hire Association chairman Shaz Saleem is refusing to speak to the Conservative opposition and is calling for Tory taxi committee member Councillor Ken Turner is resign.

He accused Tory leader Cllr Patrick Harley, who branded their protest “disgraceful” of failing to support the drivers.

Mr Saleem said: “Cllr Harley along with the Conservative Group have shown no support for our self-employed taxi driver members.

“They have proven to have a lack of understanding for the concerns of Dudley taxi drivers during these difficult financial times. Mr Harley is a closed-minded individual and is out of touch with the taxi industry as is Cllr Ken Turner.”

He said Cllr Turner, who supports the single colour rule, had an “anti-taxi driver mentality and the association have no confidence in him in deciding the fate of drivers livelihoods. Mr Turner should resign from the taxi committee.”

Both Mr Saleem and Cllr Turner agree that public safety is the priority and the Hayley Green and Cradley South member said he would not quit the taxi committee.

Cllr Turner added: “My primary concern is the safety of our residents, always has been and always will be. I fully support the one-colour, distinctive colour.”

Meanwhile, taxi committee chairman Cllr Richard Body has dropped his bid to haul Cllr Turner in front of the standards committee for alleging he had voted for his friends in supporting the taxi drivers’ rule change application.