Liz welcomes Mayor Ken's pledge on London Taxis

11.23.12am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Apr 2003

Liz recently visited the Coventry-based factory of London Taxis International.

West Midlands Liberal Democrat Euro MP Liz Lynne has welcomed a commitment by Greater London Mayor Ken Livingstone to not lower standards on London's Hackney Carriages.

The London Mayor is reviewing London's "Conditions of Fitness" which specify the requirements black cabs must meet to be licensed in the capital city. There have been concerns that he will agree to lower standards, allowing cheap van conversions to be licensed rather than purpose-built vehicles such as those built by Coventry-based London Taxis International and Tamworth-based Metrocab.

Ken Livingstone however has now replied to a letter by Liz raising concerns about this, assuring her that the conditions will "continue to meet the needs of those with mobility, sight, hearing and other disabilities".

Commenting on the London Mayor's letter, Liz commented: "I am delighted that Ken has given me this written assurance that standards in this area will not be lowered and that where possible, he would like to see such facilities enhanced. This effectively means that some of the more basic van conversions – which even non-disabled people have trouble getting in and out of, never mind people with mobility problems – will be excluded."

"Of course, any company that manufactures a vehicle that meets these standards should be free to compete in an open market. But as the only two companies that currently meet these standards happen to be in the West Midlands, I am of course delighted that hundreds of jobs in the region will be secured.

"I only hope that more local authorities will now take their cue from London and adopt strict accessibility guidelines of their own."