NINE taxi drivers have had their licences taken away after they neglected to carry out standard checks on their vehicles.

Epping Forest District Council’s licensing sub-committee heard that the nine drivers had failed to carry out a standard interim check on their vehicle, potentially leaving it unsafe for travel.

As part of their licensing conditions, taxi drivers in the district must have their vehicles checked at the council’s depot in Langston Road, Loughton, every four months to ensure they are roadworthy.

The nine offending drivers all neglected to take part in the latest check in March despite repeated reminders from the district council of the consequences for disobeying the regulations.

Committee member Cllr Ken Angold-Stephens said: “They were given at least two warnings and it was felt that, had they contacted the council to tell a good reason- maybe their car was out of commission- we’d have been sympathetic. But they didn’t communicate at all and we took the view this was blatant disregard for the committee and they weren’t taking things seriously.

“We thought we had really got to crack down on this sort of behaviour. They’re ferrying members of the public and we want to ensure the public are being ferried in a safe manner. These vehicles carry a high mileage and should be regularly checked. These vehicles must be fit for purpose.

“It does seem like quite a high number. I got the feeling it was unusually high.”