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Mayor Proposes Dropping Taxi Safety Check

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to consult on plans to abolish half yearly black cab inspections which he describes as "an unnecessary administrative burden" costing drivers an extra £36 per year.

The Mayor’s office say he proposes to increase the number of on-street taxi inspections by TfL’s vehicle compliance team and to introduce a charge for any taxi requiring a re-test after failing the annual vehicle inspection or an on-street inspection.

Mr Johnson announced the consultation during a visit to the headquarters of the London Taxi Drivers’ Association yesterday and said "It is essential that we support and work with London’s cabbies, who are the best in the world, rather than tying them up with red tape. Mid-year taxi inspections have proved an unnecessary burden for drivers and owners, and have penalised the majority who maintain their vehicles throughout the year."

However the Mayor’s plans have been attacked by the Labour group on the London Assembly which claims dropping the half yearly check "would threaten the safety of Londoners."

A statement issued by Labour’s transport spokeswoman Val Shawcross claimed "Over a third of taxis currently fail their inspection so it is no surprise cabbies want them scrapped. This might be good news for the drivers but it’s bad news for Londoners"