OUTRAGED taxi drivers have demanded justice from Harlow Council after it temporarily banned them from using the town's new bus lane.

Members of Harlow's private hire vehicle trade are livid that councillors will wait a year before deciding whether or not to allow them in the express lane, while black cabs can automatically use the facility.

In retaliation, drivers from the town's four major cab firms have presented an 800-signature petition opposing the delayed decision-making to Harlow MP Bill Rammell, which he has forwarded to Harlow Council.

Speaking for angry ABC, Alpha, Ace and Five Star employees, ABC owner John Saunders said: 'I am pretty disgusted really. We pay £300 a year for our licences and we are not benefiting from it at all.

'That means that even black cabs from outside Harlow can use the lane, but we can't.

'We suggested that we have a light put on the top of our cars to distinguish us from other cars, but it was thrown out straight away.'

Under Government rules, bus lanes such as Harlow's new Express Bus Route, which will be ready for use in May, can be used by black hackney carriages.

It is the council's responsibility to decide whether or not private hire vehicles can use the lane, but councillors are concerned that Harlow taxis cannot be easily distinguished, which could encourage motorists to use the lane.

They are considering providing private hire vehicles with illuminated lights ? an idea opposed by black cab drivers who fear customers will try to hail the taxis ? a privilege only hackney carriages are insured for.

At a recent council committee meeting, members decided to monitor bus lane use, before deciding whether or not to allow private hire vehicles to use the route.

A Harlow Council spokeswoman said: 'The concern we have is that the whole point of the bus lane is to avoid congestion. If people are in a traffic queue and they see what they think is another private vehicle they will think they can use it as well. It would defeat the object.

'We will wait and see how the bus lane is used and how effective it is for cutting journey times. The taxi drivers are no worse off.

'The council isn't taking sides here. We are doing it because we want to see how it works.'

Harlow's black cab spokesman Frank Hull said: 'We have no opposition to the minicabs using the bus lane. What we object to is the use of illuminated signs on the roof.

'They aren't insured to ply for trade on the streets, only hackney carriages are. But the public may not realise that.'