DISABLED users in a Hampshire town are fuming after it was revealed that only three licensed cabs in the borough are wheelchair accessible.

Less than one per cent of the 306 Hackney Carriages currently licensed in Fareham are able to carry wheelchair users, it was revealed at a meeting last week.

The issue was originally brought before Fareham Borough Council’s licensing and regulatory affairs committee to address whether the concerns should be investigated.

In neighbouring Gosport, however, 43 vehicles were wheelchair accessible along with 85 in Portsmouth and 70 in Southampton.

Madeline Close from the Fareham Area Disability Forum branded the problem a “real cause for concern”.

She said: “It’s a shocking figure that needs some real attention from Fareham Borough Council.

“Disabled Users need to be able to get from A to B quickly and easily. It is very important for them to get out and about.

“I believe the best way forward is for the council to issue licences for a specific period to vehicles that are only wheelchair accessible.”

Wheelchair accessible vehicles have also been a cause for concern in Southampton.

Ian Hall, chairman of the Southampton Hackney Association, said: “The figures for Fareham are absolutely awful, I cannot believe that the figures are so small.

“Drivers can sometimes think they can get away with it by saying that they haven’t got a ramp.

“At the end of the day, it’s about giving drivers training to able to do this or having vehicles that have disabled facilities but it all comes down to the price.”

In response, Councillor Sean Woodward, the leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “We have not received any complaints about the problem but the council will look at it and not dismiss the problem.

“We will not discriminate against taxi drivers when issuing licences and will consider everyone equally.”

A spokesperson from Fareham Borough Council added: “We do not receive a high level of complaints from wheelchair users. However, we are looking to speak with wheelchair users or local representative groups to see what their needs are. Once they have reported back, we will establish an action plan if needed.”

Councillor Pam Bryant, chair of the licensing committee, recommended that the council should speak to concerned disability groups and the Hackney Association to see what they had to say on the matter.