Taxi drivers in North Shropshire could soon demand some of the highest fares in the country after proposals to increase charges were backed today.

North Shropshire District Council’s licensing committee has given hackney carriage operators the go-ahead to raise fares for the first time since 2004. This could see fares for one-mile journeys increase 10 per cent, from £3 to £3.30, against a national average of £3.14.

But some drivers wanted a rise of 17 per cent to £3.70.

While some members expressed concerns over the proposed level of increases, the committee agreed drivers had been hit by factors such as rising fuel costs in recent years.

Committee chairman Councillor Simon Jones, said: “Looking at the average prices nationally and across the Midlands I think drivers are due an increase, but the nearly 17 per cent they are asking is too much of a hike.”

Two-mile journeys are set to rise 11 per cent, from £4.50 to £5, against a national average of £4.71, while 10-mile journeys will rise 13 per cent from £16.50 to £18.60. The national average fare for such journeys is £17.41.

The committee also agreed to allow drivers to enforce a “soiling charge” of up to £50.

Hackney operators can, however, still choose to charge less than the maximum fares.

Although the committee supported the majority of the proposed increases they rejected a request to allow drivers to double their fares on New Year’s Day. The level must remain at most a 50 per cent increase.

Councillor Peggy Carson was keen to see increases kept to a minimum.

“A lot of elderly people have to rely on taxis to do their shopping, and I think the increases will hit them hardest,” she said.

The new prices will now be advertised before being put into practice from May 6, unless enough serious objections are made to bring the matter back before the committee to be reconsidered.

Prior to the meeting, a report to members said refusing to allow for an increase in fares could lead to a loss of services due to rising costs for drivers. The report stated any loss in taxis would eventually lead to more cars on the road.

By Andrew Rogers