Taxi drivers are revolting against plans for an increase in fares describing the hike as "obscene"..

Under the tariff a one mile journey would go up by 50p to £4.40.

The bill for a four mile journey after 11pm would increase by £1.30.

But Mick McMahon, boss of Taxilink, of one of Adur's biggest taxi firms, said the public could not afford the increase.

In a letter to the council, who decide the increases, Mick McMahon wrote: "What is certain is that the taxi trade will suffer and we all need to do something to encourage the public to use our service.

"The normal practice of businesses struggling to sell their goods is to have a sale.

"What does the taxi trade propose? Increase their tariff to an obscene level, which the public simply cannot afford."

It continued: "The talk of the proposed increase is rife amongst the public and we are making absolutely clear that Taxilink and its drivers are 100 per cent against any change whatsoever."

On Monday Adur District Council's licensing committee will decide how much Hackney Carriage drivers can charge to pick up passengers.

The committee had previously agreed on a new tariff in January to come into effect next month, pending consultation with local firms.

Taxilink have submitted their letter as part of the consultation.

The fare hike would be the first one in three years in the area.

A report going councillors this Monday states that rising costs in petrol and inflation should be taken into account by members of the committee when deciding the new fare levels.

It reads: "The tariff sets out the maximum fees and charges that can be demanded from the passengers of Hackney carriages. It is a criminal offence to demand charges that exceed that shown on the taximeter.

"Statute and case law have determined that charges lower than the tariff can be demanded. Consequently it is open to drivers to offer discount from the tariff whether generally or specifically."

Because of the objection by Taxilink, the council can either modify the table of new fares or leave it.

It must however set a date for the new tariff to come into effect by the middle of June this year.

What do you think of the fare hike?