CLACTON cabbies have been warned about the standard of their vehicles and one was even taken off the road after being found to be unsafe.

A number of taxis were found to be unsafe during a crackdown on dodgy driving in the town.

Tendring Council’s licensing officers joined forces with the police and Essex County Council in a campaign to tackle poor driving as well as the standards of taxis and scrap metal collectors.

During the day-long event last Wednesday officers carried out checks on drivers and vehicles at locations across the town.

Acting council leader Paul Honeywood said 15 taxis were checked to ensure they were safe. Four drivers were given verbal warnings and one vehicle was taken off the road for repairs.

“The standard of most of the taxis was high and action was taken on the small numbers that were found to below standard,” said Mr Honeywood.

“This is important to make sure that those travelling in taxis do so in safe vehicles.”

But Tendring District Taxi Association chairman John Hones said cab drivers should not have been singled out.

“It is a tough enough time for taxi drivers at the moment – we are all fighting to make a living," he said.

“As far as poor standards go, they should also have checked buses and charity buses – many of them charge now."