THE number of wheelchair accessible taxis in the borough will increase after claims there are not enough.

Test Valley Borough Council has pledged any new taxi licences granted by the authority will now only be available to disabled-friendly vehicles.

It comes as figures from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Muscular Dystrophy UK revealed there are only 18 wheelchair accessible taxis in Test Valley, accounting for 42 per cent of those operating.

Councillor Maureen Flood, corporate portfolio holder, said: “This places TVBC among the top five councils in Hampshire in this regard.

“Furthermore, any new taxi licences granted in Test Valley will now only be available for wheelchair accessible vehicles.”

The council was, however, praised by the disability charity for its introduction of a section 167 list which contains information which helps disabled passengers find suitable vehicles.

The provision of wheelchair accessible taxis will now form part of talks into a disability review of the borough spearheaded by Harroway councillor Karen Hamilton.

Cllr Hamilton said: “To only have 18 accessible taxis is quite low to cover how many people we have in Test Valley and we have a shortage of taxis full stop.

“The council can only license so many taxis but it doesn’t mean everyone is out there doing their jobs.

“On Thursday, Friday and Saturday it is impossible to get one unless you book well in advance.”

Cllr Hamilton said a disabled friend of hers has a relationship with a firm and is able to book taxis with ease but others have shared difficult experiences.

The report by Muscular Dystrophy UK also highlighted the council has not implemented awareness training for drivers which though the authority has called on the government to make it a law.

Cllr Flood added: “We would certainly consider introducing awareness training for taxi drivers to help them with passengers with disabilities.

“However, rather than adopt a local approach to the subject we would prefer to see a requirement introduced nationally to ensure consistency.”

The council’s plea has been echoed by disability activist Doug Paulley, who requested the taxi information.

Mr Paulley said: “We need to see a stronger lead from the Department for Transport if disabled people are to get the tools they need to challenge overcharging and unsafe practices.”