Cabbies in Fareham could be forced off the road if plans to triple vehicle licensing fees are given the go-ahead.

Taxi drivers across the borough are outraged at plans by the council to drive up licensing costs by up to £155 and they fear for the future of smaller firms.

If councillors agree tonight, the cost for taxi drivers in the borough to transfer their taxi or private hire plates to another vehicle will rise to £176.

Disbelief The current fee to carry out a transfer of a vehicle plate from one car to another is £53. If the decision is taken to go ahead with the proposed plan, cabbies will see an increase of £123.

They will also witness a massive rise in the cost to temporarily transfer a vehicle plate - the cost is set to go from £21 to £176. Costs are all met by the individual driver.

Cabbies have expressed their disbelief at such a steep rise in prices and are angry that if this decision is taken many could be forced to hang up their plates for good.

Terry Bailey, of Terry's Taxis, said: "This is an outrageous hike in charges and I cannot see how the council can justify such increases. Smaller firms like myself could be hit really hard, being forced to spend extra money that they can't really spare. Some may even decide it's not worth the cost.

"The ability to transfer plates allows drivers to buy a slightly older and therefore cheaper car if their current car is getting ropey, as new plates can only be issued on cars under two years old."

Colin Borton, a shareholder from Radio Taxis, added: "Fareham Borough Council is always looking to get more income from our trade.

Well overdue "If they do this they shouldn't come back to us and complain if we raise our tariffs because drivers will need to cover the new costs. Drivers won't be happy."

Garry White, director of regulatory services, said: "The procedure for the temporary transfer and transfers of vehicle licences is the same as that for a new or renewal vehicle application and they were well overdue for review to bring them into line with the other charges currently in use for the trade in the borough."