A “STAGGERING and unacceptable” 71 per cent off taxis tested at the roadside have been deemed unsafe during spot checks in Pendle.

Police and council taxi enforcement officers conducted targeted spot checks on both private hire taxis and hackney carriages in Nelson and Colne.

Fourteen vehicles were examined by a qualified mechanic on Friday.

Due to various faults 10 out of 14 taxis were immediately suspended and taken off the road.

In fact, 13 out of 14 of the vehicles tested were defective, but three were able to stay on the road after minor repairs or replacement of parts.

Pendle Council, which licences taxis in the borough conceded that “better standards were needed”.

Councillor David Clegg, chair of the taxi committee, said: “We carried out a routine unannounced spot check on taxis in Nelson and Colne.

“The results were very disappointing and 71 per cent of vehicles failed.

“There is a continuing trend of poor maintenance of vehicles and we are exploring ways of reversing the trend.

“We will work with the taxi trade and seek ways of achieving better standards whilst at the same time continuing to carry out spot checks with the support of the Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

“Public safety in Pendle is paramount and these results must be improved.”

Pendle Council’s executive last month extended the upper age limit for taxis from nine years to 11 years.

That decision has been described by Colne Vivary Bridge ward councillor Joe Cooney as “a massive mis-step”.

Cllr Cooney, who also sits on the cross-party taxi committee, said: “It’s staggering and unacceptable that the vast majority of taxis tested were unsafe.

“The decision to allow older vehicles to operate can only make things worse.”

Sgt Shaun Pearson, from Colne and West Craven police, said: “On Friday evening we assisted the council taxi enforcement officers.

“They were examined by a VOSA mechanic.

“Due to various faults 10 were immediately suspended and taken off the road.

“This is just another example of how we work with other agencies to help keep our roads safe.”