There should soon be many more licenced taxis on the streets of Canvey - in a bid to squeeze out private hire cars illegally plying for trade

Councillors were urged to increase the number of hackney carriage licences to take trade away from private hire cars cruising the streets of Canvey late at night looking for passengers.

Under the law, this is not allowed - only genuine hackney carriage licence holders can be hailed in the street.

However, chief executive Barry Rollinson admitted private hire drivers provide a welcome boost to the overall number of taxis on Canvey, helping to reduce incidents of public disorder.

Mr Rollinson said: "This sweep occurs due to the absence of taxi proprietors operating there or taxi drivers being unable to satisfy all the demand during the peak periods, especially around pub closing times, most notably at weekends."

On Monday night, the borough's licensing sub-committee will be urged to award an extra 25 to 30 hackney carriage licences at six-monthly intervals in an effort to meet demand.

Council officials hope this will mean there is less trade on the streets for the private hire drivers.

Talks have been held with Essex Police which has no objection to any proposal to increase the number of taxi licences, providing there are no plans add more ranks.

But Ron Strong, representing the Hackney Carriage Trade, does not agree with the proposal.

He said: "Since 1993, the amount of hackney carriage work available has dropped, so we recommend no more hackney carriage plates be issued for the moment."

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