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CAMPAIGNERS have branded a Hampshire town's taxis disgraceful and disgusting after a survey revealed only four per cent were accessible to wheelchair users.

Fareham Access Group's study found that only nine out of the borough's 226 licensed hackney cabs could be used by people in wheelchairs.

Nothing is set to change in the near future as Fareham Borough Council claims its hands are tied waiting for new Government guidelines to be enforced.

The pitiful levels of disabled access taxis looks even worse when compared to neighbouring Gosport where all 45 of their hackney cabs are easily accessible to people with disabilities.

Fareham Access Group chairman Lorraine Herrington said: "It has been a concern for many of our members for some time now and although we knew the service was not great I didn't realise it was this bad.

"It is disgusting to think that only four per cent of the borough's taxis are accessible to disabled people when our neighbours are running at 100 per cent.

"It is vital that people with disabilities have access to accessible taxis so they can maintain their independence.

"There is meant to be equality for people with disabilities and this is clearly not. It's disgraceful.

"It is about time something is done about this poor service especially in this day and age, as it affects hundreds of people travelling in and out of Fareham."

Councillor Trevor Howard, vice-chairman of the licensing and regulatory committee agreed that change is needed but that would have to wait for Whitehall legislation.

He said: "Unfortunately until we have guidelines from government about the different changes that need to be made to taxis, we just have to wait.

"We could just jump in and force expensive changes upon taxi drivers to ensure access for all now, but then all of a sudden government will issue their guidelines requiring different changes than those just made. Once we know what is required we will work with taxi drivers to ensure that disabled people have fair access to the service."

6:51am Monday 30th June 2008

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