John Richardson, owner of Avenger Cars, has been campaigning for bus lanes near the market place to be opened up to cabs for over ten years.

He says allowing taxis to use the lanes on South Street and Albert Street will reduce journey-times and save his customers and his drivers money.

The current system adds an extra 80 pence to a journey - which hits the pockets of customers, many of whom are elderly or infirm.

He said: "It will save the drivers fuel and wear and tear costs. If fuel goes up - everything else goes up. This will help us to keep our costs down.

"If we can save money, we can pass the savings along to our customers.
"If we can save lkeston people some money - surely that's a good thing?"

Mr Richardson, whose fleet includes 24 cars and six buses, says a recent rise in taxi fares - which came into effect on April 1 - was in response to calls from the trade who face rising fuel costs, insurance and higher costs in servicing.

Mr Richardson said: "Fuel keeps going up and the government doesn't do anything about it. The problem is we just accept it. If we were French there would be blockades. But being English, we just take it on the chin."

Critics of the scheme say it will encourage motorists to follow suit and turn bus lanes into rat-runs, but Mr Richardson disagrees: "We do respect buses and buses respect us. We have got a mutal respect because we are both doing similar jobs.

"I am willing to pay for any signage. Furthermore, taxis are easily distinguishable from ordinary cars."

- Lorry drivers in particular are concerned the government is not doing enough to curb the damage being done to businesses.

Ian Ball has been running his haulage firm SMC Transport in Cossall and Ilkeston for eight years and says the current situation is the worse yet.

He said: "It is terrible. The government doesn't realise the impact it is having on small businesses.

"We are paying huge amounts of tax for the fuel we need.
"Why can't fuel be categorised for our industry like red diesel is for farmers?

"What is infuriating is the huge profits Shell and BP are making."
Eddy Coy, owner of taxi firm Baker Cars, said: "It's a major problem - especially on long distance trips. The further you go, the worse it gets.

It's not just fuel - it's a general trend. I'm looking down Bath Street and there's hardly anybody about.

"People just don't have the money to spend. It's not just fuel - it's everything else."