Random drugs and alcohol testing could soon be introduced for Southend taxi drivers.

Southend Council suggested on-the-spot testing at a recent Vehicle Watch meeting with Southend Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, private hire car associations, the police and Southend Hackney Carriage Office.

It is understood all parties agreed with the idea in principle, but a sticking point emerged over who should carry out the tests.

The council wants a self-regulatory scheme, in which taxi firms would carry out random tests on their own drivers.

Driver representatives agreed to discuss the matter further at a meeting on April 6.

Southend cabbie, Paul Sutton said: "I would personally welcome testing, as a way of sorting out the wheat from chaff."

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