CABBIES across Hampshire remain defiant against proposals by a government watchdog which they say will make the roads more dangerous.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, more than 40 taxi drivers gathered in the city's Mayflower Park to protest against a recommendation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to increase the number of cabbies on our roads.

The half-hour protest coincided with a similar small demonstration in Eastleigh and larger go-slow demonstrations in major cities across the country. Black cab drivers in London also picketed the head office of the OFT.

Union chiefs warned that the moves would lead to traffic chaos in Southampton and may see drivers being forced to work dangerously long hours to stay in business.

The OFT's report, which has been played down by the Transport Select Committee, says people will benefit from more taxis being available.

Cabbies from Hampshire say they are prepared to travel to London on March 3 to lobby Parliament over the report.

Perry McMillan, chairman of the Southampton cab section of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "If you overload the streets with taxis the competition will mean drivers could be working 20-hour days.

"We believe proper planning would meet customer needs and ensure taxi drivers could earn a decent living.

"Local councils already have the powers to plan local provision and it should be those powers that are used to meet local needs."

Organised by the T&GWU, the gathering in Southampton was supported by the Southampton Hackney Association and the city's Taxi Consultative Council.