TAXI drivers are organising a mass revolt against "heavy-handed" licensing inspectors. They are disgusted with what they see as a ruthless "zero tolerance" policy towards minor infringements.

And they are threatening legal action unless Bury Council sits down with them and agrees to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law.

More than 300 drivers have formed the Bury Private Hire Drivers Association, along with six of the town's taxi companies.

The new organisation is chaired by Mr Asif Jaha, who said: "The need for the association has grown out of the trauma that private hire drivers, in addition to the torment of the black cab drivers, have suffered at the hands of the council's licensing and enforcement office.

"Time and time again the council has chosen to rigidly and heavy-handedly enforce the requirements of our members' operator's licences."

Mr Jaha accused officers of operating a "zero tolerance" policy and prosecuting "time and time again for the most pernickety of infringements".

He claimed that one proprietor had packed in the business because of one officer's over-zealous tactics. "Members of the association have no intent to deliberately flout the law, but any system of law must be policed with dignity and respect," said Mr Jaha.

"It is not being so operated, and the private hire trade in Bury is on its knees as to the way the council is operating the rules."

The association has engaged local solicitor Mr Bryan Slater to fight its corner. He has asked for a meeting between drivers and licensing bosses.

"The licensing and enforcement office has prosecuted drivers over the last 18 months for a whole range of so-called offences which has caused great despair to the private hire driving community," said Mr Slater.

"If the office is not prepared to deal with the driving trade more, then I will have to consider bringing an application in the courts for an unfair operation of the rules.

"I don't want to do that, but the drivers feel so annoyed they are willing to take whatever steps are needed."

Mr Andrew Johnson, environmental health manager, confirmed that the council had been asked for a meeting.

"This organisation is new to us, so we have asked them to give us more information about who they are, and we're waiting for them to get back," he said.

"I am not aware of any specific issues they want to talk about. If they are a bona fide group I am sure we would get together with them."

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