Taxi drivers in Swindon could be asked to have slightly newer vehicles when they are first licensed.

Swindon Borough Council’s licensing committee will discuss a proposal to lower the age of a car when it is first approved for taxi or private hire use from five years to four.

The suggestion has been made in an attempt to reduce emissions by Swindon’s taxi and private hire fleet.

An additional suggestion is that all newly-licensed vehicles will have to meet new emissions standards.

All existing licensed cars will have to meet that standard by 2024.

The report to councillors by licensing manager Kathryn Ashton says the council “is committed to improving the town’s transport offer while supporting the trade to meet the demands of cleaner air”.

Drivers are allowed to use a vehicle of up to 15 years old for purpose built taxis

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The committee meets at 5.30pm on Monday, December 16, at the civic offices in Euclid Street. The public can attend.

If it decides to go ahead with the proposal there will be an eight-week consultation period with taxi drivers and operators, which will see responses further considered by the committee.