A Shropshire taxi drivers’ chief has denied drivers were intimidated to join a picket line in a recent strike over a licensing row.

The claims came as a war of words erupted over the actions of taxi drivers in Telford. One unnamed driver claimed threats were being made to private hire drivers not wanting to join the strike.

Another claimed the seven-hour festive walkout over licensing problems was justified because the licensing authority was insulting drivers.

Mohammed Zaman, chairman of the Telford Private Hire Drivers Association, denied threats were made to drivers refusing to join the dispute with Telford & Wrekin Council, which took place on December 19.

The denial follows a claim from a driver, who does not want to be named, that only 40 of the stated 250 members from the drivers’ association voted to strike.

The unnamed driver said: “There are quite a few people that are unhappy. It’s a public service and we need these rules in place for public safety. That’s why the rules are there, to protect us and to protect the customer.

“The strike was a private ballot between 40 or 50 drivers when there’s apparen-tly 250 drivers in the association.”

Mr Zaman said: “I said our strike would be peaceful and no one would be pressurised, I made that clear.

“They all agreed to a peaceful strike, that’s someone just stirring things up.”

Mr Zaman said 190 of the 250 members voted for the strike on December 19.

Meanwhile, driver Javed Atkhar has urged members of the public to back them during the dispute.

Wellington-based Mr Atkhar, who has been behind the wheel for 25 years, said: “The strikes were justified because the conditions imposed by the licensing department are an insult to the drivers.

“I am a full-time taxi driver with many years experience but if I decide to take a year off I have to sit all the examinations again.”

Councillor Jacqui Seymour, cabinet member for adult and community protection, said: “If a driver has not been registered for more than a year, they will need to show that they still meet the registration standards as there could have been significant changes in that time.”

By Brett Gibbons