TAXI firms in Bradford are reassuring customers about the taxi strike which is taking place from 6am to 6pm tomorrow.

The strike has been organised by the Bradford Taxi Action Group (BTAG), who is encouraging its members to take part.

However, the T&A has been contacted by some taxi operators to confirm that not all taxi firms will be on strike.

One said that 99 per cent of taxi firms in Bradford are not striking and would be open.

Bradford Council has also written to Asif Shah, chairman of BTAG, to explain concerns that the group has about taxi vehicle requirements when a Clean Air Zone comes into effect in January.

In a letter to Mr Shah, Steven Knighton, Bradford Council's enforcement managerfor the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Service, wrote: "You will note that Euro 6 Diesel, Private Hire Minibus vehicles (5-8 passenger seats) are included in the exemption vehicle list. There is no provision for allowing any Euro 6 Diesel cars for Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles.

"The allowance for Minibuses and Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) was made following discussions with the trade representatives, as there is no reasonable alternative for WAV or minibuses at this time.

"As all of Bradford Hackney Carriages are required to be WAV there are very limited options available for vehicles that are Petrol-Hybrid, Electric etc. In making this exemption for the Hackney Carriage vehicles it was reasonable to apply a direct reflection to the Private Hire vehicles as well.

"Essentially this means that any minibus that is Euro 6 Diesel WAV or 5-8 passengers (manufactured after September 1, 2014) will be exempt from the Clean Air Zone Charge.

"Private Hire Cars that are Euro 5/6 Petrol-Hybrid (manufactured after January 1, 2011), will also be exempt from the charge. Currently, a vehicle of this age would not conform with the licensing policy as it exceeds the maximum age, however, should the proposals I mentioned in my previous email be approved on May 27, 2021, then Private Hire proprietors will be able to licence Euro 5/6 Petrol-Hybrid vehicles that are currently 10 years old until they reach 15 years.

"This opens up the market for affordable second hand Euro 5/6 Petrol-Hybrid vehicles up to the Private Hire Trade and allows for those who already own such vehicles to continue to licence them.

"Additional support for proprietors who are upgrading their non-compliant vehicle will also be available via the Governments Grant Scheme. Bradford has been awarded one of the highest levels of grant funding in the UK and Proprietors can now register their interest in a grant via the Clean Air Zone Grants Expression of Interest form.

"I trust this answers your question as well as providing further clarity with regards to CAZ vehicle requirements and support that will shortly be available. Should you need any further clarity then I am happy to arrange a meeting with you."