And one of the city’s most influential taxi drivers agreed, suggesting the relationship had broken down over time. Drivers believe this restriction will stop people entering the taxi trade as it would prove expensive to buy a vehicle to meet the criteria. Labour councillor Sara Bolton asked if trade meetings between the council and taxi drivers were still taking place. A council officer also said the public consultation would be discussed at the council’s next trade meeting with taxi drivers. But there was evidence of the council listening to taxi drivers’ concerns at the last licensing committee meeting in June.