A COUNCIL depot has been busy fitting new protective coronavirus screens to taxi cabs and private hire vehicles.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s leader Cllr Mohammed Khan was at Davyfield Road depot to see the fleet of ‘Covid-safe’ cabs as they took to the borough's streets.

The Perspex screens in all of the borough’s 1,000 licensed cars and cabs to act as a barrier between the driver and their passengers were paid for by the council at a cost of £64,000.

The move follows reports of drivers being spat at by customers.

Conservative group environment spokeswoman Cllr Jean Rigby has questioned why the borough’s council taxpayers are financing the move rather than the drivers or the firms they work for.

This week taxis and private hire vehicles in Blackburn with Darwen were booked in to be modified.

Taxi drivers from a BAME background have been identified as an ‘at-risk’ group

Mohmmed Amin Kapadia, Blackburn with Darwen Private Hire Driver Association representative, said: “This is a really good initiative and we are really thankful to the council. We put forward the idea for a subsidy for the screens so we are really grateful that it has been fully paid for.

“Many drivers are not working at the moment because they don’t feel safe.’’

Cllr Khan said: “This is a good move for the safety of both drivers and passengers and will help to reduce transmission of coronavirus. The screens are likely to provide added benefit, especially when coupled with the usage of face coverings."