A councillor is appalled Laindon residents will have to pay an average £1.50 more for taxis in the town because of development works.

Nigel Smith, the Labour councillor for Lee Chapel North, has given his support to taxi drivers who think they should be allowed to drive through the Laindon Link bus lane while the Hatterill is shut for work.

The taxi drivers say the diversion they will have to take will cost passengers an extra £1.40 in one direction and £1.80 in the other, but Basildon Council will not allow them to use the bus lane instead.

Mr Smith said: "I am appalled at the thought people would have to pay an extra £1.50 on average."

Basildon Council, however, would not be swayed.

A spokesperson said the council believed there were "serious road safety issues relating to Laindon Link, together with matters of congestion and enforcement".

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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