A TAXI chief has warned there will be no end to strike action until their concerns are listened to by the council.

Taxi operators in Pendle went out on strike without warning just after 11pm on Saturday over growing frustration about what they have said are “politically motivated” safety checks and sanctions and decisions being made without consultation, including a hike in licence fees for vehicles, drivers and operators.

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Taxi companies remained on strike last night and said nothing will change until they have “meaningful dialogue” with council bosses.

Pendle Taxi Association chairman Shaf Ahmed has warned there will also be future unannounced strikes over the Christmas period unless their grievances are resolved.

Pendle Council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal has offered to meet with the PTA but warned he will not negotiate over safety standards of taxis.

Cllr Iqbal said: “I have had brief discussions with the leadership of the taxi trade.

“I have offered them a face to face meeting but I have warned them one thing that will definitely not be on the table is the council’s clampdown on the safety of vehicles.”

Cllr Iqbal said all operators were written to about the proposed rise in fees and the council held a three-month consultation but received no objections.

However Mr Ahmed said operators were not consulted and said taxi drivers were being ‘treated like animals’.

Mr Ahmed said: “The trade is as one. At a meeting on Tuesday with the licensing committee we put forward an initiative to improve the standards of vehicles but that was not listened to. As a trade we all want to improve safety standards. We are going to raise standards and prices.

“There is currently unfair testing and there is harsh implications for those whose vehicle doesn’t meet the standards.

“There are regulations and standards being passed on to the trade without consultation.

“I have had some talks with the leader of the council and I am still in discussions.”