A COUNCILLOR has promised to look into the possibility of allowing Oxford's private hire taxis to use bus lanes in the city.

Taxi driver Richard Barlow, of Kidlington, presented a petition signed by 793 drivers and customers to Oxford County Council cabinet member for transport David Robertson yesterday.

Mr Barlow said: "In rush hour we can't get down the roads because we're stuck in traffic. You could be waiting for a taxi to take you to hospital and we can't get through.

"Using the bus lanes means we could get there a lot quicker and offer a better service."

The city's 106 Hackney cabs are permitted to use the bus lanes, but the 348 private hire cars in the city cannot - despite being allowed to go through the bus gates.

Mr Barlow, who had threatened to strike if the council refused to help, believed his meeting with Mr Robertson had gone well.

He said he would have to investigate whether there were any legal obstacles to allowing the taxis into bus lanes.

Mr Barlow said: "If we can find a town that has allowed private hire vehicles down the bus lanes in a legal way within the Traffic Regulation Act, the council will listen and find out how much it will cost for Oxford.

"I know Cheltenham has got bus-lane approved stickers. We are going to try and find out how they have got round the laws and then find out how much it would cost."

Mr Robertson said: "They are legally allowed to use the bus gate with the new camera enforcement system, but the traffic regulation order only allows buses, hackney cabs and bicycles in bus lanes.

"I was not aware of anywhere that allows private hire vehicles to use the bus lanes. If there are examples of where that has happened I'm going to check that out.

"I have no fundamental reason not to allow them into bus lanes, but we have to be sure what the legality of it is.

"I do appreciate their concerns and if there is something legal that can be done we will certainly look at doing it."