TOWN chiefs were today warned that further strike action by Ipswich cabbies remains on the cards today unless demands for fare increases are met.

TOWN chiefs were today warned that further strike action by Ipswich cabbies remains on the cards today unless demands for fare increases are met.

Hackney carriage drivers in the town stopped working for 24 hours earlier this month in protest at what they claim is an inadequate increase in fares.

Council bosses have proposed increasing base fares from £2.60 to £2.80, claiming it is their final offer.

The Ipswich Station and Lloyds Hackney Cab Association wants base fares increased to £3 plus a 20 pence fuel supplement charge.

Association chairman John Williams-Davies said cabbies will write letters of complaint which will be presented to a council transport committee meeting next month.

If a deal is not reached he warned that further action is likely.

He said: “We can't rule out further action. The association's membership is very keen to let the council know that we mean business.”

Paul West, responsible for transport at the authority, said: “I won't pre-judge the points raised in the letters because they may be new points or different arguments.

“If there are issues raised we will answer them in a proper way. I think the decision we have made at the moment is a fair one.”

Last year the council bowed to cabbies' demands for an increase in the daytime initial distance charge from £2.40 to £2.60.

Do you think cabbies in Ipswich deserve more money for their job? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk