TAXI-drivers are appealing for turning restrictions to be lifted after claiming they are being given a rough ride by Southampton transport bosses.

Cab bosses want its drivers to have the same privileges as buses as there are more than a dozen turns they are barred from using in the city centre.

They claim restrictions slow down journeys for passengers and add to Southampton's congestion problems.

Perry McMillan, chairman of the taxi section of the city's Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "We do feel it's great that we can now use bus lanes, but there are still restrictions on taxis on some turnings.

"It has to be asked if buses can take fare-paying passengers from A to B without restrictions why are taxis, which do the same, being discriminated against?"

Their campaign is being backed by Councillor Royston Smith, chairman of the council's Licensing Panel.

The calls were made at a meeting of the Taxi and Private Hire Consultative Committee. Restrictions on cabs using bus lanes were relaxed about three years ago.

Cllr Smith has now written to transport supremo Councillor Jill Baston to urge her to consider the proposals for extra highways exemptions.

He said: "The taxi trade feels let down. They are as much public transport as buses and trains but they don't enjoy the same rights and privileges.

"We are close to gridlock in Southampton. We are supposed to be encouraging people to leave their cars at home and use public transport. If taxis can't use the same routes as buses then we might just as well continue using our cars"

Clive Johnson, of the Southampton Taxi Consultative Forum, said: "Our biggest argument is that we are public transport and have a service, unlike buses, that is 24 hours a day, seven days a week but don't have the same privileges.

"This is something that will benefit the public more than us as they will save on fares."

A spokesman for the city council said: "The city council has had discussions with representatives of the city's taxi drivers about lifting restrictions on left and right turns which are currently only permitted to buses.

"The proposals from taxi drivers would involve changes to road traffic regulations and consideration of road safety issues - the reason many of the bans on turns was introduced in the first place.

"While the matter can be considered again, this issue was considered earlier this year and any changes rejected."