Harlow Council's Environment & Community Committee has agreed not to put back a limit on the number of licences the council issues for black cabs.

Cllr Lorna Spenceley said in the debate:

"The facts show that over the last year, applications to join the trade have levelled off almost to zero. This means the black cab market is limiting itself naturally, so there is no need for the council to intervene and set a fixed limit.

The report the council has received from its consultants is excellent, and suggests some very positive steps the council and the black cab trade can take together to increase demand and use of cabs. If we take this approach, everyone's a winner."

The suggestions in the consultants' report include:

• increasing the turnout of cabs at night when demand is greatest


• reviewing the number and location of cab ranks


• overcoming public perceptions of the cost of hiring a black cab.