Councillors at last night's town hall executive meeting voted unanimously to de-restrict black cabs in the city, leaving drivers fearing for their livelihoods.
The drivers, represented by Chester Licensed Hackney Association (CLHA), have proteste
d to the local authority because they feel the current limit of 77 black cab licences is enough.
CLHA secretary Chris Farrell said: "We're absolutely gutted.
"We don't think they listened and they've made a decision without information."
After gathering more than 2,000 signatures on a petition and support from local businesses, CLHA is now ready with legal advisers to seek a judicial review in the High Court.
CLHA chairman Richard Barker, a taxi driver in the city for 20 years, said: "As an owner I would work days and have a driver at night.
"If I don't have enough business in the day because the city is flooded with cabs I will have to carry on into the evening – when the driver should be working.
"The driver would probably leave and get his own cab and work in the day, so there will be no black cabs at night."
The CLHA is angry the council decided not to carry out a survey to assess black cab demand.
The survey, costing up to £20,000, was paid for solely by the black cab drivers.
Mr Farrell added: "They said they would ask the new authority to carry out the survey in July 2009 but it's a bit late then."
The full article contains 270 words and appears in Evening Leader Chester newspaper.
