Coventry taxi drivers are to continue their summer of discontent with another stoppage tomorrow morning.

Some drivers will refuse to work at ranks in protest at the number of hackney carriages on the streets.

It follows another stoppage earlier this month when chaos was brought to Coventry railway station.

Members of Coventry Taxi Association say there are too many cabbies in the city, and this is causing pressure at ranks.

They blame Coventry City Council for allowing too many drivers to hold a licence without making a provision for extra facilities.

Negotiations began with the council to try and resolve the differences following the stoppage. Both sides agreed to hold further talks after a draft report of a survey into the situation was produced in September.

But now some drivers have decided to hold another morning of action tomorrow, from 8am to 12pm.

Cllr Eric Linton, chairman of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, said:

“We are disappointed by the Hackney Carriage Association’s decision to support drivers in striking tomorrow.

“The city council in agreement with Taxi Association, has commissioned a report by an independent consultant to look into the number of taxi ranks in relationship to the number of taxis working within the city, so their decision to strike before the results of the report are known is not going to help the situation.

“When the report is complete both the city council along with the Taxi Association will make drivers aware of its contents.”

Cllr Linton said the policy not to limit the number of taxis is reviewed every year. The impact the policy has on the city and the taxi-users is also monitored.

He added that a limit can only be imposed when the city council is sure that the demand for taxis in the city centre is fully met.

The initial survey would cost £25,000 and would need to be followed up every two years to check

The situation had not changed at a cost of £10,000 each time.

Cllr Linton said the drivers would have to meet this cost, and would probably have to pass it on to customers in terms of increased fares.