Taxi drivers are claiming a victory after charges of up to £1,000 a year to serve Birmingham New Street were axed.

The RMT union had been campaigning against what it claims were increased costs for taxi drivers at the newly-redeveloped station.

However, they are celebrating after Network Rail announced it would not be introducing the charges, until after 2017 at least.

Network Rail said the charges were linked to pollution levels but the RMT said they were part of wider rows between drivers and the company in charge of New Street which left taxis unable to access the station.

The RMT said, in a statement: “Acknowledging that the fees that it was trying to charge hard pressed taxi drivers were excessive, Network Rail has been forced to scrap its plans. The union has ensured that no additional fees will be payable by drivers at least until the second half of 2017 and that any additional fees will be by consent following a full consultation.”

The union said a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the union and Network Rail to clarify the relationship in the future.

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “Network Rail treated taxi drivers with contempt by attempting to simply notify drivers of dramatically new and obviously unreasonable terms. Further, it failed to meaningfully consult with the union - its dictatorial conduct being so unreasonable that it drew criticism from Birmingham City councillors and MPs.

“We pay testament to the solidarity that drivers showed, standing together to face down Network Rail. Having successfully defended our members in Birmingham, we will be replicating our action in other cities including Leicester, where drivers are also being hounded – in their case by an out of control mayor.”

However, in response, a Network Rail spokesperson said: “In the short term, Network Rail has put on hold the introduction of a clean-air taxi charging system, scaled according to how polluting each vehicle is. In the future we will continue consultation to introduce this charge as part of Birmingham City Council’s ‘Clean Air Zone’ policy in the city centre.

“Taxi drivers will continue to pay 40p per visit to cover maintenance costs of the facility and a new smart dress code has been introduced to help improve people’s first impressions of the city.”

New Street Station opening

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