Private hire firms force city U-turn

COUNCIL chiefs have performed a U-turn over plans to block private hire car firms from bidding for a driving contract worth around £4 million.

The city council put out a tender specifying criteria for "black taxis" to apply for the contract to carry out driving jobs on its behalf.

Following complaints that the process made it impossible for private hire firms to bid, council chiefs have agreed to re-tender.

The contract involves ferrying social work clients and school pupils, as well as driving councillors, over the next four years.