Taxi drivers challenge council over cab colour scheme

A group of taxi drivers is taking Bristol City Council to court over its plan to require cabs to be painted blue, according to the BBC.

The local authority announced two years ago that all 780 hackney carriages had to be painted blue by May 2011. Failure to comply will see a licence revoked.

The cab drivers have complained that respraying the vehicles would cost between £1,500 and £4,000. They are also unhappy at the level of consultation, the BBC said.

A council spokesman said the colour requirement was being introduced so people knew they were getting into a genuine licensed taxi cab.

He told the BBC that a blue plastic covering would be acceptable and cheaper than a respray.

The taxi drivers' case is expected to be heard at Bristol Magistrates' Court today (10 August).