DURHAM City was reduced to gridlock for two hours yesterday lunchtime, as taxi drivers staged a go slow protest against controversial new rules for the trade.

More than 50 cabbies joined a slow-moving convoy around the city centre to show their anger at plans to allow unlimited numbers of taxis to operate.

Sounding their horns, they drove from the Durham Light Infantry Museum, over Milburngate Bridge and past County Hall, headquarters of Durham County Council.

Council chiefs want to create a deregulated, single hackney carriage zone, allowing unlimited numbers of vehicles to operate anywhere in County Durham, and impose an all-white colour scheme.

Taxi leaders have threatened legal action over the proposals and, after yesterday’s action, warned there could be more to come – potentially during school term and at peak times.

Adrian Fets, chairman of Durham Independent Taxi Association, said: “This is just a taster of what’s to come.

“This is what it’s like with a few extra taxis in the city centre.

They haven’t got a clue what it’s going to be like with 1,000 taxis.

“It’s going to be gridlock.

Nobody’s going to be able to get moved.”

Council chiefs say the changes would create a more consistent, open, fairer and cleaner taxi service.

Terry Collins, the council’s corporate director for neighbourhood services, said: “We must reiterate that no decision has been taken yet on zoning or colour issues relating to taxis.

“Proposed changes will be discussed by members at a council meeting on March 23.”

There are currently seven taxi zones in County Durham and limits on vehicle numbers in Durham City and Chesterle- Street.

All-white colour policies exist in Chester-le-Street and Wear Valley, although drivers say they are not enforced.