BARNSLEY taxi-drivers say they will go bust if rules are relaxed in restrictions on the number of hackney licences which are granted.

The council is reviewing the system early next year in an effort to get more cabs on the road, with the aim of getting late-night revellers out of the town centre and home as quickly as possible.

There is also the possibility that the distinction between hackney and private cabs may be scrapped, meaning all Barnsley taxis could be flagged down on the street.

Head of community protection and licensing Simon Frow says there has been pressure from the government to meet public demand for more taxis.

But cabbies say there is not enough work to go round and one hackney driver said: “We will go out of business if they give out hackney licences to everyone who wants one, it's as simple as that.”

Secretary of Barnsley hackney association Shaun Jeffers believes ending restrictions on hackney licences would also lead to congestion because there is not enough space for extra taxi ranks in the town centre.

Vice chairman of the national Hackney Association Paul Brent warned against the move and said when similar changes were made in Sheffield there had been a ‘free for all’.

The council and police are also looking at closing Wellington Street to traffic on weekend evenings to prevent safety issues problems with drunks staggering into the road and starting fights with those queuing for taxis.

Efforts are being made to have a trial period of closing Wellington Street before Christmas, but there are a number of legal obstacles to overcome before permission can be obtained.

It is hoped the pedestrianisation and moving the taxi rank to another area will alleviate the problems.