Taxi drivers were celebrating after beating moves to ban them from using bus lanes in Oxford.

It had been planned to prevent black cabs from using bus lanes in the Banbury, Woodstock and London Roads after the introduction of the Oxford Transport Strategy measures next April.

But in an amendment passed by Oxfordshire County Council's Highways and road safety sub-committee yesterday, taxis will be allowed to continue using the routes.

The agreement does not apply to private hire taxis.

In return for the concession, black cab drivers have agreed to reduce their engine emissions and review their fare structures so that they no longer surcharge journeys to places just outside the city boundaries, such as Botley, Kidlington and the city's crematorium. Councillor Jean Fooks, Liberal Democrat highways and traffic spokesman, who put forward the amendment, said: "Partnership between taxis and buses is the way forward because we think taxis have an important role in public transport.

"We very much welcome the decision and fell sure the public will appreciate the improvement in air quality resulting from the moves on emissions."

Alan Woodward, Secretary of the City of Oxford Licensed Taxi-cab Association, said: "This is good news, mainly for the passengers, because now fares can be held down and so can travelling times.

"Fares would have risen by 68 per cent and journey times by 138 per cent."

Keith Welham, Oxford County Council's Chief Engineer, said: "City and county officers will now look at drawing up a partnership between the taxi drivers and the bus companies and if a satisfactory agreement can be reached we will have to look at amending the bus lane orders."

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