Taxi drivers in Telford are losing at least £50 a week in wages after council bosses failed to implement an agreed rise in fares, it was today claimed.

Black cab drivers today said despite Telford & Wrekin Council approving the rise in March, nothing had been done and they were now losing money. The decision was made by licensing chiefs after pressure from drivers facing increases in fuel bills and living costs.

The proposed increase put forward by Telford Hackney Carriage Association, which is believed to be the first since 2005, would see an average two-mile journey cost about £2 more.

Under legal guidelines, the council must publish a notice warning people of the increases and give them 28 days to e object.

But today a spokesman for the association, who did not wish to be named, said the council had not published any notice in the newspaper or made any move to implement the decision.

He said: “It was backed by the council in March and there has been no arrangement about it. There should have been a notice put in and I check the paper every night and I have not seen it.

“They told us it would be done as soon as possible and the increase should be in by now. We are losing at least £50 a week.”

Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: “The legal notice is already prepared and ready to go in the press but we first need an implementation date to be agreed by the new council for when the proposed tariffs will take effect as this has to form part of the legal notice.”

He added: “If there are no objections from the public to the proposed new tariffs and surcharges, they will take affect on a date notified in the legal notice.

“Once all this has been put in place, all Hackney carriage owners will be written to informing them of the proposed arrangements for testing and sealing the meters.

“However, if the council receives objections, these must be considered before any proposed increase comes into effect.”