Passengers who hail a taxi on the streets of Swindon may no longer be allowed to sit in the front with the driver if new rules are agreed.

Councillors on the borough council’s licensing committee will consider a proposal to formalise the existing practice where licensed hackney carriages – taxis that can be hailed or pick up passengers from a rank in the street – may not carry passengers ahead of the divider between the main compartment and the driver.

The report which will be presented to the committee on Friday says: “The principle behind the licensing of hackney carriage vehicles is not only one of public safety, but also of driver safety.

"Based on this, the authority has continued to restrict the licence to fare paying passengers sitting behind the partition. This practice has been in place as an implied restriction since 1989 but for clarity it is now proposed that it become a specific clear condition attached to each licence.”

The committee meeting will begin at 6pm on Friday at the council chamber.