Fears over scrapping of black cab tests

THOUSANDS of black cabs with defective brakes and polluting engines could be left in service if a mid-year inspection is scrapped, it was claimed today.

Mayor Boris Johnson is consulting on scrapping the check after the industry said it is costly and bureaucratic. But the London Assembly Green Party says 2,389 cabs failed pollution tests and 513 had brake problems in the past year.

Jenny Jones of the Greens said: "Black cabs are one of the most polluting fleets of vehicles."

A TfL spokesperson said: "If inspections are reduced, other measures will be in place."