A BAN on taxis using an access road into the new Westgate centre could leave passengers stranded, increase congestion and lead to a rise in fares, drivers have warned.

In July council officers had decided to reconsider banning taxis from the access road - to be constructed between Castle Street and Speedwell Street - but earlier this week stuck to its original decision.

With many shops, bars and restaurants planned on the south and west side of the development The City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA) hit out at the plans claiming it would cause more congestion and leave vulnerable passengers and late night drinkers stranded.

COLTA secretary Sajad Khan said: "We are the only public hire black cab service of Oxford and all of our vehicles are wheelchair accessible, yet we are denied the right to use routes which as public hire vehicles like the buses, we should be granted to use.

"By restricting us from the route, we are denying access to certain sections of the community such as the disabled or families with children or the vulnerable during the social hours late at night.

"We should be accessible anywhere, anytime."

He added that COLTA - which represents 107 drivers - would continue to fight for better access into the city centre and hoped to persuade Oxford City Council to allow use at certain times of the day.

Oxford City Council said allowing taxi drivers to use the route would cause 'unacceptable' levels of pollution and also delay the opening of the Westgate centre as a new planning application would need to be considered.

Oxfordshire County Council board member David Nimmo Smith - making the decision - said his 'hands were tied' given the city council's opinion.

But the group's chairman Bashir Ahmed warned its routes around key areas of the city were being cut off.

He said: "Our routes around the city are being terminated and it's going to take us longer to get passengers to the train and bus stations.

"We would have to go down Thames Street and Oxpens to the station now and it will increase congestion.

"A fare that may cost a commuter £8 to get from the station to work in the morning may now cost £19 or £20 in the evening - and who will pay £30 a day when you can park in the city for £6.

"It will only encourage more drivers."

Mr Ahmed also revealed COLTA had conducted an investigation of restrictions facing licensed cabs in other cities.

He said: "In Reading for example they allow wheelchair accessible taxis only to use certain routes - all our vehicles are wheelchair ready and this would help us get to people who really need our service.

"They also allow cabs to use access routes at congested times from 7-11am and 4-7pm, and we want this as well to get people to and from work."

An Oxford City Council statement explaining its stance said: "Taxi usage could only be on a comprehensive basis i.e. that all

hackneys and private hire vehicles regardless of their licensing status would have to enjoy equal rights of access.

"If there were to be an extension of the use of the route to include all taxis, the impact on air quality would be very significant, and likely to result in an unacceptable level of pollution."